Minnesota Nice: How the Twins Whiffed on Opening Day, by M. McGrath

Opening Day 2015, the Minnesota Twins invite Kevin Garnett to throw out the first pitch, with the ball delivered to the mound by Tyus Jones.

Just two months earlier, the Timberwolves welcomed Garnett back to Minnesota after eight years away, six of them spent in Boston.  KG delivered 12 playoff appearances to Target Center, and peaked with a trip to the Western Conference Finals as a 2004 T-Wolf. Then.  In 2007. He left Minnesota.  And he won an NBA Championship.  For the Boston Celtics.

Tyus Jones was celebrated as a three time Minnesota High School Basketball Player of the Year.  He and Jahlil Okafor were the prized recruiting package in the class of 2014.  Tyus was polite enough to list the Gophers as one of his possible choices right up to the day he committed to Duke.  Where, of course, he won a national championship.

KG and Jones are both class acts. Both have a high likability factor.  They deserve to be celebrated, respected and honored.  But by the Minnesota Twins?  Two basketball players who left Minnesota to win championships elsewhere.  Is this really the best Minnesota could do?  Is there no accomplishment in the state they could celebrate and recognize?

Minnesota’s man crush on Jones has been puzzling this season. The U of M was likely never a serious consideration for Jones.  But imagine Jones and Okafor convincing Justice Winslow to join them in Dinkytown. It may have taken two years, instead of one, to deliver the state its first championship since the 2012 Lynx brought home the WNBA title. Instead, Jones selects Duke, and Minneapolis immediately adapts Durham as its sister city.

Right next door, Wisconsin fans took no pride in North Carolina and JP Tokoto’s fine season.  The state did not cheer for UCLA’s success just because Kevon Looney landed in Bruins’ baby blue. (Incidently, Looney will go higher in the draft than Jones). The media and fans paid limited homage to the two stars playing on opposite coasts. Even if one of them had won a national title, there would be no Tokoto or Looney throwing out the first pitch at Miller Park.

How many Maryland fans will you find in Wisconsin now that four time state champion and Mr. Basketball Diamond Stone has committed to the Terps?  Crickets.

Minnesota nice embraces the traitors who leave the state and lead other teams to the pinnacle.  Philosophically, these guys were once Minnesotans, so their success elsewhere somehow showers all 10,000 lakes.  Of course.

Right next door, Brett Favre’s induction to the Packers Hall of Fame has been pushed back repeatedly to provide Wisconsin fans with an appropriate cooling down period after he finished his career with one year in Minnesota.  Ted Thompson has decided that five years should do it, and he’ll go in this fall.  All this worry about how fans would receive him back, after he played the Packers back to relevancy and a Super Bowl Championship.

The Twins got it wrong on opening day by choosing Garnett and Jones. What, exactly did these two accomplish for the state of Minnesota?  The beloved Garnett’s 12 play-off appearances are impressive, but this streak ended over a decade ago. If nothing else, if you have run out of great athletes of the past to honor, choose people who at least fuel hope for future success-in Minnesota.

Minnesota Twins, how about Andrew Wiggins throws out the first pitch?  He represents the TWolves best chance to re-appear in the post season; something they haven’t accomplished since that 2004 Western Conference Finals.  How about Jarvis Johnson? The four star recruit from De La Salle High School who decided to stay in state and play point guard for the Gophers next year.  He’s hoping to deliver the second Final Four appearance in Gopher history. Wait. I just checked the history books, and it looks like that 1997 Final Four appearance never actually happened.

Twins, dig deeper. Don’t pull in Dukie and Celtic champions and celebrate them as your own.

Rebuilding in the NFL: Time for a Contrarian, by M. McGrath

Date: April 6, 2015

To:       Jason Licht,                  Tampa Bay Bucaneers GM

Mike Maccagnan,           New York Jets GM

Ruston Webster,             Tennesse Titans GM

Gentlemen, free agency has begun and the draft is upon us.  Of course the speculation around which quarterback each of you will take in first round is widespread.  Speculation on trades. Speculation on how you will rebuild your teams back to respectability, and rebuilding in the NFL, of course, begins at the quarterback position.

The three of you managed to secure just eight victories in 2014. That’s 8-40, collectively.   I say this to surface reality, not to insult. It’s time to have a frank discussion about rebuilding, and it is time to look at a new path.  The Eagles and Chip Kelley have gathered the most headlines for their bold off season moves.

The moves you need to take will make the Eagles look status quo.  I am writing all three of you, as there is less than a 33 percent chance one of you has the cajones to execute this masterplan.

Each of you are on a collision course with mediocrity or worse. Yes, we have seen some quick turn-arounds in the NFL lately.  Teams making deep play off runs, even winning the Super Bowl after missing the play offs entirely the year before.  For each of you, this is Fool’s Gold.  Without outstanding QB play, those turn arounds do not happen.

And they don’t happen in Tampa Bay, New York, or Tennessee. Not in 2015. Not in 2016. Not in 2017.

This does not mean you should be looking for outstanding quarterback play. Not under the current NFL standard.  Think about this, all three of you are searching for, fighting for, acceptable quarterback play.  The draft?  A roll of the dice; need I break out the list of recent first round busts?  And the free agent list is full of eye rollers.

You need to let go of the notion that your franchises will be rebuilt around the centerpiece of outstanding quarterback play.

The Plan

Before I bring in the goodies, let me set the table.

Step back and take a deep breath.  Let’s take an objective look at the current trends related to player values in the NFL.  The obvious does need to be outed.  What positions are currently being paid at a premium in the current NFL landscape? Being paid at a huge mark up?  Quarterback.  Receivers.  Pass blocking tackles.  Even pass catching tight ends presenting a match up problem.

On the other side of the ball? Pass rushing linebackers or defensive ends. Cornerbacks.   Very simply, the NFL has become so lopsidedly pass oriented that every position on offense and defense demands a cap value commensurate with that positions importance in developing the passing game or stopping the passing game.  And everyone is in the bidding war.

Remember, this is football.  Football.  You are so caught up in the race to obtain an outstanding quarterback, athletic tackles who can hold the edge and running backs who can read a blitz and pass protect.  It. Doesn’t. Have. To. Be. This. Way.

You need to be the first to change. YOU need to be the first to change.  This is where the cajones come in.  Here is your blue print. Destination: relevancy.  Destination: play offs.

Offense:

Let’s start with the quarterback.

You will need three quarterbacks who can run well and pass…well not as well as Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady.  Sign Tim Tebow.  Sign Denard Robinson.  Sign Tyrell Prior. Sign their prototypes and let them compete or the jobs.  You are going to rotate three of these guys all game.

You will run 60 plays. If each quarterback runs 20 of those plays and carries the football on 25% of their plays, that’s five running plays each.  That’s an average day at the office if you factor in runs and sacks for an NFL quarterback.

Now let’s finish splashing the pot in your backfield.

You will need three big, powerful running backs.  They will need to run the ball, not pick up complex blitz packages.  This will open up your search exponentially.  We are not looking for the Jamaal Charles, Chris Johnson mold coming in under 200 pounds.  Don’t bring in anyone in the mold of Matt Forte, Reggie Bush, CJ Spiller, or LeSean McCoy; all just tipping two bills.  You need not apply unless you tip the scale at 230 plus.

The running backs listed above succeed in offenses that spread out the defense.  This is the state of the current NFL.  You will be signing north south guys who bring the wood.  These guys are the dive part of the dive option.  They wear you down.  They will take turns moving the pile. Speaking of piles, these guys are available in piles.  Bring ‘em in and see who’s hungry.  With the discounted priority on running backs, you will find plenty.

Let’s move up front where the work is done.

The O linemen being recognized for their worth with lucrative deals include athletic tackles with flawless technique to protect the edge, and guards who can handle the one on one inside pass rush and hold the pocket.  Good news.  You don’t want any of these guys.

Pick up as many mammoth run blocking-d tackle mauling-steamrolling-one direction only moving-linemen as you can find.  Think free agent list. Waiver wire.  These guys are drafted late or not at all.  They get left holding their preseason swag and a small check once August rolls around. Your goal is to average 335 from tackle to tackle.  Or 345. Or 355.

We’re almost done here. Let me finish with some make up.

Make sure your tight ends are big and can block. They are not hybrid receivers, but you can teach them how to catch a simple bootleg and not fumble when they get hit.  As for your receivers, if you have any prima donnas who are less than ecstatic about their new diet of steady stalk blocking drills, stamp last year’s record on their forehead and send ‘em packing.

Oh, by the way.  The first fullback selected in last year’s draft went in the sixth round.  You can grab the second and third best fullbacks in county, right after this year’s draft ends.

We have not decimated your offense.  We have just BUILT your offense.  There is no competition for the players you want.  The NFL is of a single mindset.  This is football.  Football.  There is another way to play football.

Defenses have completely adjusted to this single mindedness.  They have gotten smaller and quicker on the line.  Speedy and slight at linebackers.  Defensive ends are built to rush the edge, not hold the edge. Preferred packages include nickel and even dime.  Think about it, what is the antidote to this defensive set up?  Yes.  Be the first to do it.

Defense

Now that you have your ball control, pounding, grinding offense built to pulverize all the other undersized defenses, let’s talk about your defense.

The bad news is, it is too late to sign Vince Wilfork and or Derrell Revis.  The good news is, you are going to use EVERY draft pick and the incredibly unbalanced majority of cap space on the defensive side of the ball.  There is not a player on the offensive side of the ball who should make more than the league minimum.  Hell, most of them would be out of the league if it weren’t for your brilliance.  This enables you to build the best defense in the NFL.

These defenders will love playing for you.  They will play about 50 snaps per game, or 8 fewer than the league leading fewest-defensive-snaps-per-game 2014 Seahawks.  You will possess the ball for 36 minutes per game, or four more minutes than the time-of-possession league leading 2014 Pittsburgh.

Why? Because you run the ball.  You move the chains.  And your defense gets the ball back for you. Remember? This, is football!

You can thank the other 31 GM’s for allowing you to pay premium players on offense the league minimum. You will build the best defense in the league and be a mismatch every Sunday.   You owe it to your fans to be relevant again.  Now.  They really don’t want to cycle through four more starting quarterbacks and two more coaches in the next six years.

Your fans want a chance.  They want hope. You will be the talk of the NFL. You will be the lead on Sportcenter.  But this not a grand experiment.  This is football.  The path you are currently on is worn and tired.  It has been trodden down by all 32 NFL Teams for over a decade now.  It is time for you to lead your organization down a path less taken, recently.

What We Learned in Indianapolis by M. McGrath

We learned that Indianapolis does it right.

Indianapolis has built the playground for Final Fours, Super Bowls, championship games, and other national events.  The downtown sidewalks are wide and pedestrian friendly, the Convention Center is labyrinth like, and there is bountiful hospitality and dining within strolling distance of all major venues.

Lucas Oil is, of course, the prized jewel, and has already hosted one Super Bowl, this year’s Final Four, and will host next year’s Women’s Final Four.  Not a bad start. Lucas Oil will certainly host another Super Bowl in the early 2020’s, and has already secured the return of the Men’s Final Four in 2021.

Indianapolis, you do it right.  Now, let’s take a look at our take-aways from the three most anticipated days in college basketball.

We learned that Duke is Kentucky Light no longer.

Coach Calipari runs the original personal -NBA prep program.  He marched into Indianapolis with 10 McDonald’s All Americans.  Seven of them have since declared eligilble for the NBA draft.  Seven.  Coach Cal does not shy away from this reputation.  To his credit, he embraces it.

Coach K?  Coach K coached 24 years before he had a player leave early for the NBA. Names who decided to stay all four years?  They included Ferry, Laettner, Dawkins, Hurley, Hill, and Battier.  Coach K then started dip his toes in the tempting one and done pool.

Yet, even after Elton Brand, Corey Magette, and William Avery broke the mold of his quintessential College Basketball Program by leaving after one or two years, Coach K convinced the likes of JJ Redick to stay and drop threes for four years.  For 24 years, integrity personified walked in to each and every arena in the form of Coach K.  The patron Saint of the four year stay, if you will.

But, Coach K’s run of Final Fours began in the 80’s, and as such, he is one to “Roll with the Changes.”

In Coach K’s first four Final Fours, Duke Freshmen players scored less than 20 points, total. That’s less than 20 total points in all four previous Final Fours combined.  Against Wisconsin in the National Championship, Duke Freshmen scored all 39 of Duke’s second half points.  (Total minutes played by Wisconsin freshmen in Championship Game: zero.)

Coach K has been called Coach Konvert after this National Championship. He out-Caliparied the Calipari by winning the Tyus Jones /Jahlil Okafor sweepstakes last year.   Less than a week later their friend Justice Winslow followed suit, and the number one recruiting class was secured in Durham.

So while Kentucky sends three freshmen to the NBA draft in June, Duke sends the most important three.  It is fair to say that Coach Konvert is no longer just wading around in the one and done pool.  This was a cannon ball off the high dive.

No, Duke is no longer Kentucky Light.

We learned that Bo Ryan is Bo Ryan is Bo Ryan

In contrast to Coach Konvert, Coach Bo Ryan has not evolved with college basketball’s changing landscape.  Not with is formula for success, and not in the way he defines success.

Minutes after the loss to Duke, one thing was on Coach Ryan’s mind, and he wanted to make it clear: you won’t see “rent a players” suiting up for the Badgers anytime soon… well, not on the hardwood anyway.  Whether that’s a fifth year senior from another program, or a one and done, Coach Bo Ryan is not ready to lead a ship with that crew. At Wisconsin, you’re going to swab the deck before you get to hoist the sail.

Of course there are exceptions, you know, Freshmen who come in ready start. Wait.  There actually aren’t exceptions.  Two years ago Sam Dekker was the fourth Freshman to ever start a game under Bo Ryan.  And Dekker started three games that year.

Even after witnessing the Duke Freshmen dash out his National Championship quest, Coach Ryan made a point to let us know he believes in what he has done, is doing, and he’s going to keep on doing it.  Will he do it all the back to a Final Four?  A National Championship game?

Coach Ryan and this team traveled through the bracket running the swing offense, and playing a fan man to man defense with no switches; and that wasn’t going to change.  Not for Carolina, not for Arizona, not for Kentucky, and certainly not for Duke. Wisconsin does Wisconsin, regardless of the opponent or the situation.

There were three times this really surfaced against Duke:

1. Wisconsin guards getting beat with some regularity by dribble penetration down the middle of the lane following a dribble exchange or a simple point wing exchange. A hedge was not enough, yet there would be no switch or variation from the game plan.
2. Duke regularly ran sets after tv timeouts or regular timeouts. Most include curl cuts for good looks. Wisconsin is not going to draw up a set or an opener during the timeout, even if they anticipated a mismatch or could capitalize on Duke’s foul trouble.  They would get there through their offense.
3. Needing three point looks with under 90 seconds to go, Wisconsin relied on its Swing to find those looks vs a set or opener to find the look.

It is very difficult to question or second guess Coach Bo Ryan.  The buy in from his entire team, and their understanding of what it takes to win-together- are the reasons they played Duke Monday night. Their collective belief in a system.  If there were ever a time Coach Ryan was pushed to diverge, it was on this stage.  He didn’t blink. Don’t expect change at the Kohl Center.

And that’s a good thing.

Numbers that Matter: Wiscosonsin Vs. Kentucky Final Four by M. McGrath

1

Ketucky’s rank from start to finish this year.  At mid season, it on appeared that 2015 March Madness would be very similar to 2012:  The Kentucky Invitational.   Impressive early season statements included a 41-7 first half drubbing of Division 1 UCLA, a stifling defensive performance that saw Kansas shoot 19 percent and  rack up 11 field goals in 40 minutes, and a dominating rebounding show besting Louisville 46-33 on that stat line.  Impressive, but this has not been the Kentucky invitational led by Andre Davis in 2012.

2

Trey Lyles’ height advantage, in inches, over Sam Dekker.  At 6’9 Dekker usually has a height advantage over his opponent.  Trey Lyles brings some athleticism with his 6’11 frame.  Dekker’s three point rainbows may not come as often in this semi final match up, instead, he will have to challenge Lyles on the drive.  If Lyles is no the answer early, look for the 6’11 Cauley Stein to take a crack at cooling down the red hot Dekker.

3

Three shots were on the air this year that would have beaten Kentucky.  Ole Miss, LSU, and Notre Dame all had shots at the end of regulation that would have given them the win over Kentucky.  Those shots all reminiscent of Traevon Jackson’s shot to win it at the end of last year’s Final Four. If Wisconsin has a ball in the air to win it at the end of this one, Kentucky’s 38-0 run just may run out.

4 and 5

Four Mc Donald’s All Americans sit on Kentucky’s bench.  (Ok, Alex Poythress is hurt, but we count him here.) Yes, Kentucky starts 5 McDonald’s All Americans.  Wisconsin has had 3 McDonald’s All Americans…ever (Griffith, Oakey, Butch). Sam Dekker was snubbed in 2012 despite being ranked as the #18 player in the country.  Dekker doesn’t seem to need fuel for his fire, but a statement game here would be an incredible capstone on his college career.

6

Ranked Teams Kentucky played and defeated during the regular season.  UNC and Louisville were their most impressive wins.  UNC was scorched on 7 of 15 three point shots as Kentucky shot 57% from the floor.  The Wildcats outscored Louisville 24-16 in the paint, and we noted the 46-33 edge on the boards.  Don’t count on Wisconsin’s defense yielding these types of outcomes.

7

Kentucky averages 7 blocked shots per game- good for #2 in the country in that category.  Willie Cauley Stein is a 7 footer.  Karl Anthony Towns stretches all of 6’11.  The Badgers lead the nation in shot fakes and only get 2 shots blocked per game.  Frank Kaminsky leads all 7 footers in up and under moves.  Wisconsin averages just over 3 blocked shots per game, and half that many in their last 3 games.  Speaking of big men, 7 is also the number of minutes Nigel Hayes played against Kentucky in last year’s Final Four.

Look for Wisconsin to throw a myriad of shot fakes at Kentucky and try to pile up fouls and create some hesitation defensively.

8

Josh Gasser’s hand was 8 inches from the ball on Aaron Harrison’s game winning three pointer in last year’s Final Four.  Badger opponents are shooting 50 % from beyond the arch this tournament. Don’t look for the Badger guards tighten things up.  They will need to give the Kentucky backcourt a cushion and avoid dribble penetration. They will also need to play off of ball enough to make the post entry pass a challenging one.  Between defending the dribble drive and challenging the post entry pass, the Badger guards have their hands full. They will be content with a hand up and a box out.  If Kentucky settles for contested jump shots they will be playing right into the Badger’s claws.

9

Kentucky made their last 9 shots to finally put away Notre Dame in their Elite Eight match up.  Almost all of them involved Karl Anthony Towns. If the big  KAT Has a lot of touches Saturday night the Badgers will watch Monday nights championship from State Street Brats.

10

Kentucky could 10 deep in this game.   The Badgers’ stamina will be tested in the second half.  For that reason look for the Badgers to keep the first half under 30 possessions.  They average 61 possessions per game, to Kentucky’s 68.  The Badgers lead the nation in points per possession 118.5 per 100 possessions-look for them to grind out and capitalize on this efficiency in the first half.   This will keep their bigs out of foul trouble and make it difficult for Kentucky and their -sub early sub often rotation -to find its offensive rhythm.

11

The Badgers offense at 11 seconds will be critical.  They certainly won’t run sets or openners at this point, but know they spent time this week attacking at the 11 second mark.  Look for them to find Dekker and create opportunities for him to penetrate when they are deep in the shot clock.

Quick Thoughts on Advancing to the Final Four: Wisconsin vs. Arizona in the Elite 8 by M. McGrath

Transition Points

Yes, this chorus will continue as long as the Wisconsin Badgers keep clawing their way through NCAA Tournament Brackets.  In fact, the year is almost as irrelevant as the opponent. The Badgers embrace the adage “Once the tournament starts, you’re only as good as your half court offense.”  You want to score? Do it five on five.

Arizona enters the game shooting 49% on the season.  There are only 21 teams who scored more points per game this year, and their engine is driven partially by high percentage transition baskets. Coach Sean Miller unloads the bus in LA with nifty guards who love to push and athletic big men who can run.

While they don’t push the ball quite like the Badgers’ Sweet 16 opponent, UNC (79.9 pts per game to Arizona’s 77.4), they will look to capitalize on any opportunity to run, rather than face that uninviting half court Badger defense.  Eliminating transition baskets is one reason the Badger defense forfeits points on just 42% of opponents shot attempts.

Arizona will outlet quickly to McConnell on every Badger miss, and he will effort mightily to manufacture points in transition. McConnel drives the biggest challenge Wisconsin’s transition defense has seen since they played Kentucky in last year’s Final Four.  While cliché, this battle will go a long way to determine who is still practicing on Monday.

Pick and Roll or Pick and Pop?

Arizona is sound, athletic and smart on defense.  If they have one soft spot, it is defending the high pick and roll.  Interestingly, Wisconsin often chooses to pick and pop with their big men for looks at the bonus ball, rather than pick and roll.  Tarczewski in particular concedes valuable real estate in the high screen and roll game.  He is an athletic brute, but likely his athleticism and strength have allowed him to ignore some defensive fundamentals that the Badgers will look to exploit.

Look for the Badger big men to incorporate more pick and roll than pick and pop, and try to produce points in the paint and pile up fouls on Arizona big men.

Disrupting the Badger Offense

On Thursday night UNC was able to overplay the passing lanes and disrupt Wisconsin’s offensive flow. They forced the Badgers to catch the ball at 25-28 feet with regularity.  UNC had success taking away the Badgers signature catch and shoot baskets; tough to catch and shoot when you’re close to half court than the three point line.  As a result, the Badgers were forced to deploy more dribble penetration than they had all year.

Small wonder the slashing Dekker had a career night with 23 points (The fact that 23 points was a career night for Dekker needs further analysis but note that he did it on a night the Badgers used more dribble penetration in their offense and on a night they scored almost 80 pts).

Hayes and Kaminsky went to the locker room a combined 3-13 at the half.  The Badgers trailed UNC by 7 at the ten minute mark, struggling to find their groove facing aggressive denial on all perimeter passes.  The timing off, the signature swing difficult to recognize.  Will Arizona lift a key page from UNC’s game plan? Do they have the athleticism to over play and still protect the basket?  Can they provide that pressure and stay out of the foul trouble that eventually plagued UNC?

These are difficult questions for Coach Sean Miller, but one thing is certain.  The Badgers have not yet been themselves this tournament, specifically in their half court offense.  Look for Arizona to find a way to keep them out of sorts.  Whether it’s aggressive denial a la UNC, designated double teams, or alternating zone looks with their man to man, they will not sit back and allow the swing to swing.

Droughts in the Desert

Believe it or not, while the Wildcats poured in their 77-plus points per game, they were also prone to droughts.  This susceptibility comes from guards who can be streaky and big men who are less effective when forced to play half court.  Can Arizona survive the droughts in the forecast as they collide with Wisconsin’s stingy defense, only yielding that 42 percent conversion rate?

Coach Bo Ryan’s vision is simple.  Every shot contested with a hand in the face and then followed by five box outs.  If the Badgers execute, Arizona will have to survive at least two droughts tonight.

Arizona Swag

This will be the best effort the Badgers have seen, certainly this season.   Arizona will tip off the game with tremendous focus and superb physical effort.  They are still stung by the way the Badgers denied their trip to the Final Four last year.  They have been working toward this game ever since, and the Badgers meeting them here is just icing on the motivational cake.  The Badgers will be challenged to keep their poise and maintain their confidence.

The X Factors

Gabe York’s job is to increase an Arizona lead or close the gap when they trail.  The long distance bomb dropper has a knack for going stealth. The Badger defense can not afford to lose track of him as so many others have this year.

The Badgers can not rely on an X factor to win.  Zac Showalter has been the X factor- spark plug of the tournament for them; so far.  The rest of their bench hasn’t hurt them, but hasn’t threatened production either.  The Badgers X factors must come in the form of Kaminsky scoring 6-10 points over his 18 points per game average; Koenig finishing with 12-16 points instead of his 8 ppg clip; or Gasser having the best offensive output of his senior year and stellar career.  Quite simply, the Badgers will need their bigs to be bigger, and players like Showalter, Dukan and the getting-back-in-shape-to-play-defense-Jackson to spell them adequately if they want to pull out the road maps to Indianapolis

The Autopsy in Green Bay by M. McGrath

The Autopsy in Green Bay

The Green Bay Packers once vibrant and hopeful 2014 Season officially expired on Sunday, January 24 with 11:39 on the clock in overtime.  The play?  A 35 yard touchdown strike; a most precise shot by R. Wilson, to a most unlikely suspect, the recently beleaguered J. Kearse.  But was this really your dagger?  Of course not.  Sorting through the melee that preceded this final blow explains why the NFL is currently under investigation for its gratuitous gore shown on that otherwise tranquil Sunday afternoon.

4:50 Third Quarter

With the Packers enjoying a 16- 0 lead, their defense had just stopped the Seahawks, who were making their first trip of the day into the Red Zone.  It was 4^th and 10 from the 19.  A 36 yard field goal.  At 16-3, the Seahawks would need to hold the Packers in check and score two touchdowns to pull out the win.  Special Teams Coach Shawn Slocum calls for an all out block. Seahawks holder  J. Ryan, the most unathletic person on the field that day outside of Official Tony Corrente, took the snap, rolled left and lofted the ball to tackle G. Gilliam for the successful fake field goal. 16-7 and momentum seemed to shift at Century Link Field.

Packers Implicated: 

Special Teams Coach Shawn Slocum

Did you not think Pete Carrol just may be looking for a momentum change? How do you not have a safe/coverage call on at this point?  Why even risk a roughing call trying to block the field goal? Your defense had been dominating the entire game. 16-3 is  victory at this point.

AJ Hawk. 

His situational awareness is 89 in Madden 2015.  It did not show here.  It is 4^th and 10.  There are 2 packers in pursuit of the speedy holder and punter J. Ryan.  Did you really think coming up on him was better than staying in coverage?

This blow wounded the Packers.  They staggered briefly, but appeared to recovering.

11:11 Fourth Quarter

Up 16-7 Rodgers finds  J. Starks near the end zone and sideline.  A reception results in a touchdown or a new set of downs inside the five.

Packers Implicated:

J. Starks

Starks goes up with one hand?  In the NFC Championship Game?  A catchable ball that could put this game to rest early.  This is not the Buffalo Bills in September! This is the NFC Championship Game!

Aa. Rodgers

You’re only guilty of throwing it to Starks and not hitting him in the numbers.

The Packers seemed unfazed after this strike.  In fact, A. Rodgers threw to Starks incomplete on the next play as well.  This was a subtle blow, and the Packers seemed dangerously unaware of the threat lurking.

6:53  Fourth Quarter

Packers defense forces a punt.  The Packers take over on their own 13.  They are up 19-7.  Four plays later it is Seattle’s ball on the 46 with 5:13 left in this game, and presumably 5:13 left in the Seahawks’ season.  Three and out, 1:40 off the clock and Seattle in excellent field position.

Packers Implicated:

M. McCarthy

Running on first and second down is forgivable.  The temptation to test the wounded Sherman in coverage, or better yet scheming to find a way to make him tackle someone-had to be a thought at this point. Sherman hadn’t moved his left arm for nearly a quarter.  Was A. Quarles on a hitch route really our best third down call?

Ant. Quarles

You have to make that catch. Period.  Have to.

The Packers barely winced. They were still up two touchdowns with 5:13 left.  Unless the Seahawks lined up Punter J. Ryan in the backfield, the Packers were confident they could contain the ‘hawks offense.

5:13 Fourth Quarter

On second down, M. Burnett intercepts R. Wilson.  He immediately slides at midfield rather than returning the ball into Seahawk territory and a likely field goal attempt.  Despite this forfeiture, the Packer’s season looked like it was ready for two weeks of Green and Gold hype prior to A. Rodgers’ second Super Bowl appearance.

Packers Implicated:

M. Burnett.

Great interception .  Huge play.  Not the dagger though.  Not yet. You know, I’ve seen D Backs intercept passes to seal games, and their own teammates have to tackle them to get them to the ground. With the nearest Seahawk 13 yards away, and the fastest Seahawk even further away, it is inexplicable that Burnett slides 3 steps into his return.   If he can break a R. Willson tackle he dances in the end zone as fans head out to the nearest SoDo watering hole.

While no tangible evidence of harm was done by Burnett’s slide, it signaled to the team, especially to the defense, that the game was over.  All the congratulatory hugs on the sideline were premature gestures of a job well done.

J. Peppers

Following the interception, the 13 year vet immediately motions Burnett to slide. There are over 5 minutes left to play. Seattle has 3 timeouts left. You are in Seattle. This is the NFC Championship Game. This move is not indicative of Peppers savvy vet value.   He may not have noticed that his offense had not picked up a first down yet this quarter.  The likelihood of him being back on the field in 90 seconds or less was very high. For the first time this season, it was almost like Peppers had spent too much time in Chicago.

 

3:53 Fourth Quarter

After taking two timeouts and receiving the Packer’s punt,  the Seahawks have the ball back on the Packers 30.  Down 19-7, with one timeout and 3:53 to play.

Packers Implicated:

M. McCarthy

With 9 in the box, McCarthy stubbornly runs the ball three times for -4 yards.  The Packers needed an Urban Meyer type approach here.

Up by 7 against Alabama with 2 minutes to play.  A 2014 National Championship appearance on the line. Similarly situated at midfield.  First down.  Does Meyer run his OSU Offense  into 9 defenders?  No. Meyer goes deep down the left sideline.  Why? Because he knew it was single coverage and this was the best opportunity to put the game away. That’s right, the best opportunity. Single coverage with zero help. While incomplete, the play call sent a message to everyone in an Ohio St. uniform.  This game is not over.

McCarthy needed to do similarly.  You have Aaron Rodgers, not Lynn Dickey. Give him a shot to at least move the chains on first down with 9 in the box.    Seattle needed a score and onside kick recovery at this point.  Look at the risk/reward.  Risk: Seattle saves one timeout and 35 seconds on an incomplete pass.  Reward: Packers move the chains, possibly for a field goal attempt.  A fresh set of three downs.  A punt inside the ten or a touchback to the twenty. A. Rodgers with man coverage and no safety help over the top.  A first down essentially seals it. This was the best opportunity the Packers had to pop champagne in Seattle.

B. Favre

Favre refused to mentor Rodgers. Sometimes that’s good, sometimes bad. In this situation, it was bad. We needed a touch of Favre here. If even an ounce of Favre’s defiant, stubborn, gun-slinging, I-know-better-than-you-streak had rubbed off on Rodgers, he would have audibled  (with hand signals) or changed the play call in the huddle.  Nine bodies and twenty two eyes were in the box on first and second down.

This is not to say Favre was always defiant and stubborn.  But he did draw one up to A. Freeman in the Super Bowl XXXI victory over the Patriots.  A Favre/Freeman special.  Favre told  Freeman in the huddle to fake the slant and go deep. At the line Favre clearly made the audible call for slants.  The Pats knew this, and Favre knew the Pats knew this.  The snap, the pump fake on the slant, the d back grossly jumping the route and the soft toss to a wide open Freeman for a memorable touch down.  Mike Sherman was irate, and elated.  Favre, your legacy could have lived on with 3:53 to play in this horrific collapse.   You never taught A. Rodgers when to draw one up.

2:13 Fourth Quarter

R. Wilson goes in for a TD pulling the score to 19-13.

Packers Implicated:

This was a defensive collapse.  Could be the calls, could be the execution, could be the emotional shutdown after Burnett’s slide, but it’s all part of the autopsy.  In fact, this portion of the autopsy can’t even begin without a call to The Cleaner, Winston “The Wolfe” Wolf.  Sorting out this mess is no longer a job for Angela Landsbury.

Lynch runs for 14 on first down.  Next play to Baldwin for 20.  Pass to Lynch for 26.   Blown contain assignment on R. Willson allowing his read option keep to go for the TD. A tackle at this point at least takes the Packers to the two minute warning and allows the defense to regroup.

2:07 Fourth Quarter

Seattle on side kick recovered by S. Hauschka

Packers Implicated

B. Bostick

Bostick’s assignment is to block in this situation. Block hard and protect J. Nelson so he can go up and get the ball. The Packers’ set up to receive this kick was perfect. Nelson was situated right behind his wall at 11 yards, awaiting a perfectly executed onside kick bouncing high in the air. Instead of blocking, B. Bostick steps back and goes for the ball, perhaps not trusting Nelson would be there.  Seahawk Chris Matthew recovers the onside kick.  He should have been met with a hard block by Bostick three yards before he touched the ball.

At this point the death of the 2014 Season seemed inevitable.

1:33

Lynch runs 24 yards for a touchdown.

Packers Implicated:

Um.  Let’s just get The Wolfe in here and clean this up.

Two Point Conversion

Is good.

Packers Implicated:

Ha Ha Clinton Dix

This two yard, two point conversion pass had more hang time than a Ray Guy punt.  Ha Ha has shown better breaks on balls in his Pop Warner career.  There is film to prove it. He may have gotten bored with the ball hanging in the air so long.  Maybe he was hungry and started thinking about the post game eats?  Contemplating his Super Bowl plans?  He very well may have been thinking “Hey if  I return this, is it good for two points? If not, should I even try to pick it off? What’s the score, anyway?  Are these a big two points?”

Overtime

R. Wilson delivers 35 yard strike to J. Kearse for the final, merciful blow.

At this point, the Seahawks were just toying with their prey.  It was cruel.  They took six plays to score and finish off the Packers 2014 Season.  While this autopsy is complete, the clean up will continue well into 2015.

The Big Dif in The Big D by M. McGrath

Family values. Blue chip currency.

Four year players. Five new faces.

Big Ten degrees. Big time contracts.

It is a good thing this year’s Final Four will be played at Cowboys Stadium on Saturday night; no venue could better accommodate the Texas-size gap between the Wisconsin and Kentucky basketball programs.

Both Wisconsin and Kentucky are Division I basketball teams loyal to all NCAA rules and regulations. Both teams are made up of student athletes enrolled at their respective universities. Both teams…well, that just may be where the similarities end.

The Badger program sells family values, earning a degree, and a deliberate style of play. Meanwhile, Kentucky only slightly differentiates itself from an NBA Developmental League Team.   In fact, so many players recently have had a cup of coffee with the UK program, they could rename Rupp Arena- Heine Brother’s Arena.

Saturday night’s showdown at sundown will have Kentucky’s Sea of Blue pouring in 30,000 strong. Wisconsin’s Grateful Red road trip professionals always represent, and they will politely allow the red sweater club to tag along.

A variety of fuel fires the college basketball fan bandwagon: loyalty to state, allegiance to alma mater, thirst for winning and attachment to individual players. Kentucky vs. Wisconsin brings it all.

Junior Frank Kaminsky stumbled onto Bascom Hill as a raw, if not awkward, freshman in the fall of 2011. On the court, his game sputtered along like his Honda Spree cruising to practice on a cool November morning. For those watching closely, his shooting touch occasionally raised a hopeful eyebrow.

Kaminsky increased his production sophomore year: to 4.2 points per game. But at 6’11he served up small portions of “Ooh, this kid could be good! Maybe with one more year under Ryan.” Flash forward, and on a historic night last November, he exploded for 43 points going 16-18 from the floor. UW fans had cheered his baby steps in the Big Ten, and patiently awaited these industrious years. This was their Frank.

Julius Randle. Stories about his dominance in the Texas AAU circuit began by fifth grade. The stories never stopped. The most coveted power forward in the Class of 2013, from 6^th grade forward. Just one of his 7^th grade dunks generated over 45,000 views on youtube.

Kentucky fans have cyber stalked Randle for years. Their vision, a computer animated driving, rebounding, dunking machine in blue and white. In blue and white. For one year. Busting through the bracket in March.

Bronson Koenig played his way to Madison in 2010 and ’13 to win the Division III Wisconsin State Tournament. He toted smooth handles, no look passes and a soft, arching three point shot that hit at nearly a 50% clip. “Any chance this kid will stay at home? Bo better get this guy. But over UNC? Over Duke? Come on.”

Koenig did ink with the Badgers and when he went clutch on two of two three point attempts last Saturday vs. Arizona, the Coulee Region collective celebrated more than anyone. Former teachers, coaches, neighbors, classmates. They know him well, and always knew what he could be.

Wonder Twin powers –put on your UK jerseys- and, activate! If it wasn’t Julius Randle muscling through the Texas AAU league, it was the Harrison twins absolutely torching it. The number one ranked point guard. In the country. The number one ranked shooting guard. In the country. Badger fans, when was the last time your media guides were littered with such language? Landing this package would be the ultimate coup. Instant backcourt. Instant chemistry. Instant rebound from a poor draft.

Before the Harrison’s or Randle had signed anywhere, UK fans had one worry. The Harrison’s and Mr. Randle did not like to play in the same sandbox. Their rivalry was well known and created much speculation about their landing spots. “Oh, boy. Do you think Cal can possibly bring ‘em all together? Can you imagine? Both of these guys, with Randle? Would the committee even invite 63 other teams come March?“ They were, and are, that good.

March 2012. Wisconsin State Tournament. Fans had heard all about this kid, Dekker, from Sheboygan. Bo had signed him, and he was one of the top 20 players in the nation. The Kohl Center was alive and the state fixed its eyes on Dekker’s every crossover and dribble drive. Championship game. Dekker’s 38^th, 39^th, and 40^th points come on a game winning fade away from the corner.

At that moment, Badger fans knew they’d be watching Sam Dekker hit the same shots from the same spots for the next four years. Was this a sign of the March Madness to come?

 Dominique Hawkins similarly electrified UK fans while leading Madison Central to the Kentucky State Championship game in 2013. And he is the 17^th Mr. Kentucky to join the program. He was the 44^th ranked point guard in the country. Absurdly, as fans watched the state tournament last year, they had to ask, “Will he even see the floor here in Kentucky?”

Hawkins has worked his way into the rotation, but with his talent UK fans have to wonder, “Will he stay?” With Calipari’s next fantasy draft due to arrive this fall, minutes may be hard to come by.

As the National Anthem played for the 2013 Division 1 State Tournament, Zak Showalter stood on the Kohl Center floor. His father, and head coach, Steve Showalter, glanced over at the readied look on his son’s face. Together, they completed a 28-0 season and took home the gold ball.

Coach Steve balled for Bo Ryan’s UW-Platteville teams in the late 80’s. See, Bo’s been building bridges in Wisconsin since 1976. Even though Bo made his dad Steve wear short shorts, Zak still chose to walk on and play for Bo.

When Marcus Lee set the tone with two thunder dunks in the first eight minutes of last Saturday’s game against Michigan, the Sea of Blue was a rockin’. “Where has that been? I thought he would have two or three of those a game this year!” Another highlight searched hype machine coming true before their very eyes. And just in time.

No fault of Lee’s, really. One of the top twenty players in the county last year, up to that point he had logged only 126 minutes for the Wildcats this season. Trapped in a traffic jam of talent, he is one reason it is completely plausible Kentucky’s second five would give the Badgers all they could handle.

Badger fans visualize what freshmen Nigel Hayes might look like as a senior. They marvel at the how steady Traevon Jackson has become. They think back to the 2010 Wisconsin Gatorade Player of the Year, Josh Gasser, starting as a freshman, and they remember talking back then, about right now.

Kentucky fans wonder if Coach Cal can keep up this pace. “The best recruiting class ever” only buys him one year. They roll 16 Final Fours deep and hang 8 NCAA Championship banners. They’ve learned to swallow freshmen mistakes, but only with top-five talent as a chaser. No one enjoys one shining moment like Kentucky fans, even as the frenzied reloading takes place around them.

The Badgers put more players in caps and gowns last year alone than the Wildcats have had seniors put on a jersey over the last three seasons. It’s difficult to calculate a graduation rate when players never even reach senior status.

Coach Bo Ryan has been criticized for not bringing in elite talent. He brings in players to develop and who fit. He’s been criticized for reliance on a system with boundaries too narrow.

Coach John Calipari has been criticized for bringing in only elite talent. He successfully recruits the very best high school players in the country, for one shot at a championship. He’s been criticized for leaving the college out of college basketball.

Old school. New school. Four years in school. Nine months in school. Both programs arrive in Texas not only taking proverbial different paths, but using different maps entirely.

Whose map will lead to Monday night?

Is that really the destination?