NFC North 2015 Preview – Chicago Bears

If you can believe it, the 2015-2016 NFL season begins Thursday September 10th on NBC at 8:30pm EST with the Steelers at the Patriots.

That means we only have a little over 7 weeks to go.

Sweet!

Really sweet, because now that the Women’s World Cup is over, it really is drought season.

Therefore, for the next four weeks, I will preview the NFC North division for the 2015-2016 season. I will save my favorite for last, of course, the Green Bay Packers.

Let us start with the team we all love to make fun of in the NFC North – the Chicago Bears.

The problem is, they make it too easy on us.

In my preview last year, I said the best off-season signing for the Green Bay Packers was that the Bears signed Cutler to a huge deal.

That is still the best thing to happen to us now.

It’s hard for the Chicago Bears to really make a lot of moves when there is still so much money tied up with Mr. Debbie Downer, a.k.a., Mr. Sad Face, a.k.a., Mr. Emo.

And moves they need to make. I must admit, I was even astonished when I looked up their record from last season. Gulp. Really? 5 wins? 5 measly wins? Yikes.

Back in the day, when Cutler first came to Chicago, he pushed to get Brandon Marshall to the glorious state of Illinois. However, those days have ended. Mr. Marshall is now a Gang-Green, which, by the way, as a nurse, just makes me think gangrene, which pretty much sums up the Jets as a horrible, stinking, rotting flesh of a team. Pretty accurate, huh.

Brandon Marshall stats

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Any who, word out of the internets state that Marshall said the best quarterback he has played for is Kyle Orton. Gosh, dang. Poor Cutler, even his go-to-guy didn’t set him in any good light.

Ouch.

So, who do the Chicago Bears have going into the 2015-2016 NFL season? Here is their depth chart.

 

 

Hmm. That doesn’t tell me much.

Some positives to take away. They still have Forte and Jeffery. Green Bay is undoubtedly the team to beat in 2015, at least for now. I’d be very, very weary of those Vikings if I were you, but that is a story for another time.

What I’m saying is, the run is our weak spot. Perhaps if they can get some good run blocking this season, they will have a shot to split the meetings with us.

A super huge positive is the coaching change up.

I liked Trestman. I’m not gonna lie. However, liking someone and seeing results is another story. Winning 5 games is a way to get yourself fired. However, bringing in a new coaching staff for Cutler also doesn’t seem like something Cutler is  too willing to work with.

Interesting, Trestman is the new Offensive Coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens. He is replacing Gary Kubiak as the Offensive Coordinator who is now the head coach of the Denver Broncos (who was once the offensive coordinator of the Denver Broncos from 1995-2005 leading them to 2 Super Bowl wins, one against Brett Favre and the GBP) … replacing John Fox because …

John Fox is the new head coach of the Chicago Bears!

Huh?

I gotta say Denver … what?!?!?!?

Fine, Denver wants to get rid of John Fox, but you always gotta ask yourself, who are you going to get better than who you already have?

Gary Kubiak is not it.

Here is Kubiak’s head coaching record. This is simply the fact that John Elway worked under him during those 2 Super Bowl wins. Otherwise, there is no reason for this.

Kubiak record

 

Anyway, I digress. Back to Chicago and John Fox.

John Fox was essentially brought on in Denver when the team was in the same boat at the Bears are now. After multiple lack-lusters seasons, the last straw was the 2010 season for Denver (4 wins). They had a record even worse than what Chicago has now (5 wins).

Denver record

 

Perfect timing for Mr. Fox.

The following season, 2011, broke even for Denver, and after that had winning records. Unfortunately, the post-season outcomes were not up to Elway’s demands. A humiliating loss in the Super Bowl against Seattle 2 years ago and last year being forced out of the race by the Colts was too much.

Now, onto Chicago.

Fox is bringing with him offensive coordinator Gase. Apparently, Peyton Manning loved him. That’s high praise from someone who can basically call all the plays on the offense and play QB at the same time. Gase spent 6 seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos.

Fox also brought on board defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.

Not sure if this is John Fox’s doing, probably not, but I’ll just throw it in here as well … Ryan Pace will be the new general manager of the Bears.

Ultimately, this is a huge shakeup for the Bears. Much like in Denver, I at least see all of these changes bring the bears up to an 8-8 record.

That will be dependent on the schedule …

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible wins are as follows:

Raiders

Kansas City

Redskins

Tampa Bay

Jeez-Louise. I take it back. I see them going with 5 or 6 wins. I just don’t think they have the weapons.

That’s my recap for the NFC North Chicago Bears.

See you all next week!

Women on the $20 bill

There has been a lot of coverage lately over the endeavor to get a woman on the $20 bill.

There are so many issues that this topic brings up. Instant thoughts of well, it’s always been done this way, or it should be a president, or why is this a big deal?

Let me answer the third question right off the bat. Why is this a big deal?

Because, unfortunately, it is.

Women are still held down, thought of less, and underrepresented. Women make less that men do. Women work less in STEM.

Here is a quote from an article in Think Progress “Despite making up about half of the workforce overall, only about a quarter of workers in science, technology, engineering, and math fields — otherwise known as STEM — were women in 2011, according to a new report from the Census Bureau”.

Another quote from the same article “The women who stick it out in these jobs can also expect to be paid less. Women with a science or engineering degree working full-time make $58,000 a year compared to $85,000 for men. The gap narrows for those who work in a STEM job, but it doesn’t disappear. Women who work in STEM make $75,100 while men make $91,000.”

Wow. Powerful stuff to read.That is a big pay gap. I think society at times likes to brush this aside, as if to say, yeah, but it’s not a huge pay gap. Yes, it is. $58,000 compared to $85,000? That is significant.

That’s more than what a minimum wage worker makes in a year.

Women are constantly misrepresented. It’s in the every day occurrences, the small slights, and the barbs. Look at our upcoming World Cup. It’s the FIFA World Cup and the Women’s FIFA World Cup. Why the difference? Why does it have to be a qualifier that it’s women? Personally, I prefer the women. They do less flopping. Plus, even in this sport, it is so hard to find equal representation. When looking on the FIFA website, it lists Klose as the top scorer with 16. However, Abby Wambach has had 22 goals scored. So tell me this, why is it misrepresented that a man has the most World Cup goals, when in fact, it was a woman?

Many other instances over history show that women are underrepresented. Female scientist like Marie Tharp were dismissed, mostly because they were a woman. She is credited with first mapping the ocean floor. Yet, the credit first went to a male. There are countless examples of this.

One of the commercials I love most as of late are the Always commercials. When asked what it means to be a girl.

The reason this pulls at your heartstrings is because it’s true. We are taught that we are less for being a girl.

Some of the issue is one of the insights I mentioned earlier, it has always been done this way, so why change it now? Simple. Just because something has always been done one way does not make it right. Just because we have always had Andrew Jackson on the $20 does not mean it needs to stay that way. This issue, the thought of “it has always been done this way” as an excuse came up with the Adrian Peterson child abuse case. Just because African American parents in the past have used switches to inflict discipline upon a child does not make it right. We learn. We grow. Shoot. My parents didn’t make us wear our seat belts when we were kids, but that didn’t make it right. The Romans used lead in their plumbing, that didn’t make it right. We need to move past this sort of ho-hum reasoning if we want to evolve as a society. I’m not one to quickly judge those in the past, but move forward, we must …

… obviously, not in all instances, some wrongs will never be made right, I’m looking at you Nazis.

As for it always being a president, that’s not true. Look at who is on the $100 bill.

I, personally think it would be a welcome change to have a woman on the $20 bill. No matter who you vote for, it would be a great way to insert some simple, subliminal equality of our own into the world. Women do great things, just like men. Both deserve recognition.

Personally, I voted for Eleanor Roosevelt. I have long been a fan of hers. It was a hard choice for me between her and Harriet Tubman. How do you choose between two heroes? I ultimately picked Eleanor Roosevelt because of her fight for the civil rights of women, African Americans, the poor in our country, and changing the face of what it means to be first lady. I mean, seriously, I hadn’t planned it this way, but for one of the articles I read to research this blog was by the AAUW  titled “Graduating to a Pay Gap: The Earnings of Women and Men One Year after College Graduation“. At the end of the article it was stated “This report was made possible thanks to generous contributions from AAUW members and donors to the Eleanor Roosevelt Fund and the Mooneen Lecce Giving Circle”. I mean, the woman pops up everywhere.

The other two well-deserving nominees are Rosa Parks and Wilma Mankiller.

Women are great. They are our mothers, our aunties, our teachers, our scientists, our athletes, our astronauts.

They are our equals.

Please go to this link, Women on 20s, if you are interested in learning more and or casting your own vote

 

 

Indiana Fix This Now Is Exactly Correct

The front page of the Indianapolis Star had it absolutely correct when it stated Fix This Now.

This RFRA was a gross misstep by the lawmakers who pushed it through. They thought no one would notice. “Was I expecting this kind of backlash? Heavens no,” Pence said.

I am so grateful to the people who did notice and started the fight.

Pence not thinking people would notice is slimy.

We can not go backwards as a society. We can not exclude people. We can not. It is morally and socially unconscionable. We can not look Russia and other countries in the eye who discriminate against LBGT and think we have the higher ground. We still, now more clear than ever, have a lot of work to do here in America.

My very good friend is a lesbian. When my mom died, she took me under her wing and became what we lovingly call her as my “pseudomom”. I will be damned before I let someone turn her away. This woman, this gift, will never be treated as less, nor should anyone else for that matter.

I think we need to congratulate the companies who stood up, because let’s be real. Money talks. I’m entirely sure that no matter how many individuals stated that they did not want the law, that nothing would have been done. It would have just been typical rhetoric – those liberals are at it again. The republicans in Indiana would have waited for the news cycle to die down, and would then continue business as usual. However, when companies, and dollars more specifically, speak, republicans tend to listen.

This man, this politician who obviously is catering to the republicans for a possible nomination, was forced to backslide when company after company, city after city, pulled its money from Indiana. Governor Pence put his own political career above other people’s lives, other people’s well being. He came out on air with George Stephanopoulos and stated he would not repeal the law. Then, with mounting monetary pressure, he changed his tune.

And while today he spoke out saying he did not discriminate during his live new conference, he did say “he opposes adding sexual orientation to the list of Indiana’s protected categories under state anti-discrimination law”.

What a fucking politician.

Also, if that’s not discrimination, then I don’t know what is.

Quoted from the New York Times: And supporters of the laws urged political leaders not to bend to pressure. Micah Clark, executive director of the American Family Association of Indiana, said he feared “a capitulation that enshrines homosexual behavior as a special right in Indiana.” Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, said, “The government shouldn’t force religious businesses and churches to participate in wedding ceremonies contrary to their owners’ beliefs.”

Thank you to the New York Times for that information.

We need to ask ourselves as a society, who is the actual aggressor? Who gains to benefit from their “freedom”. Is their freedom at the cost of another?

Ask yourself, where does “owners’ beliefs” stop? At gay marriage, at a teenager exploring his or her sexual identity? Too many suicides have been reported over this very same issue. What about women? What about race? It was once thought if Nazi Germany just took Czechoslovakia, the Munich Pact would create peace.

We all know how that turned out.

Discrimination is ugly, and it’s a slippery slope.

The whole nature of this debacle is a slippery slope. If this law is “okay” in Indiana, is precedent set? Is it then okay in Arkansas?

It should also be noted that Indiana is one year removed from trying to ban same-sex marriage. This RFRA is just another attempt to discriminate.

Want to know who came to stand by Pence’s side? I’m sure you can guess. Let’s name them just in case: Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio, and Ted Cruz.

I feel for the people of Indiana who are not discriminating against LGBT. It has got to be awful seeing what is happening to your state. To know that the nation and the world is looking at your state as exclusive. I know how I felt when California had struggled with prop 8. To think we were supposed to be such a welcoming state, and we were outright discriminating against people was very hard. I was constantly mystified at who these people were who were so discriminatory and biased. It was difficult. My heart goes out to you. If you need help showing your support, there is a website that sells “This Business Serves Everyone” stickers. Click the link to learn more.

We can not idly standby when one group discriminates against another. Thank you so much to those companies and individuals who stood up for what is right. It took a lot of courage. Just as I shrink in horror at the discrimination that some individuals are trying to mask as religious freedom, I also stand and applaud those that did not passively standby.

Let us see what happens when Governor Pence gets the updated revisions by the end of the week that he so adamantly pressed for. I am still waiting for him to do the right thing. I do hope his press conference wasn’t just all talk. Change this discriminatory piece of legislation. Better yet, also give the LGBT community what they deserve, equal protection under the law from discrimination.

Go For Two: February really is the loneliest month

Rodgers, you are so sexy; I’d be staring at you the whole time as well

February is the worst time of year. It begins the season of drought –my beloved NFL season is over.

This year, it is particularly hard to let go of the NFL for three reasons: the end of the season for the Packers was such a good one, an excellent, albeit, heartbreaking NFC Championship game, and a pretty spectacular Super Bowl.

The question in February is always, now what?

It’s not hockey. I just don’t like it; although, that is probably terrible of me to say, seeing as I’m from Detroit, a.k.a., Hockeytown. I’ve been to countless games; I still just don’t care.

I know what you are thinking … what about the NBA? The NBA has been a little lackluster lately. I recently moved to San Diego, and there isn’t a NBA team here. The closest are: LA Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, and the Phoenix Suns.

Ugh.

You be you; thank you for that

I can’t root for the Lakers, because … let’s be serious. I can’t root for the Clippers after that Chris Paul statement. Nothing brings out the feminist in me more than stating: “If that’s the case, this might not be for her.”

Yeah. You know what’s not for me? Rooting for a team whose star player would say something like that.

As for the Suns. I don’t know … I don’t have anything against them, just … meh.

My Detroit Pistons are doing better this year, so I will probably watch a game or two, but not with the fevered intensity that I’m looking for in a sports event.

February really is the loneliest month.

Things will pick up in March though. I adore March Madness and will be ready with time scheduled for an intensive 4 day Sports Center viewing binge with brackets in hand. I love my Michigan State Spartans and wish them the best this year.

The only thing is, it’s just a brief reprieve – March 15th into the very beginning of April. April 6th is the Championship game.

Then, almost a whole month without any sports, until …

The best-of-the-best glimpse into what we are really missing! NFL football! The 2015 NFL draft will be held in Chicago this year (the first time it hasn’t been in New York since 1965) from April 30th to May 2nd.

However, on the boredom between NFL seasons debacle, there is good news this year. There is one more tasty treat to tie me over until the beginning of the 2015 NFL season. FIFA Women’s World Cup! I am so super excited for this. I am in love with our Women’s National Team. I can’t wait to see who will make the team (although, I just looked for my favorite player, Rapinoe, and I don’t see her! WTH?!). I wonder if my beloved Japanese team will be good this year? What about the German team? So many stories yet to unfold. That starts June 6th and runs until July 5th. Here is the FIFA Women’s World Cup schedule.

Then, nothingness. Zero until Thursday September 10th — the opening game of the NFL season. The Patriots get this honor and, although the team has not been determined yet, I do believe that it will be Denver or Dallas. They like to highlight a hard-fought battle from the year before, and those two teams look like the best choices. However, side note, go check out the 2015 Patriots opponents. They could repeat this year easily. Maybe not repeat a Super Bowl win, but repeat going to the big game. Jacksonville? Houston? Titans? Wow.

I know what you are thinking — I forgot baseball. Don’t be ridiculous. You go to a baseball game for the food and the beer in the cheapest bleacher seats you can find. You don’t go to watch the game. You certainly don’t stay home and put the game on. I have tried. My really good friend loves the San Francisco Giants. I watched a few select games from the playoffs. It’s just … not for me.

Ho-hum. I already miss you, NFL. I will fill the void with mere substitutes of you for the next few months, with the only real reprieves coming from March Madness and FIFA Women’s World Cup.

See you soon. Love you.

Go Pack Go.

 

Go For Two: Games to watch week 5

I really don’t know what to say about this season. It’s really all over the place. Atlanta destroyed the Buccaneers in a blowout and then the following week, Atlanta gets beat by the Vikings? Huh? The Bucs looked disastrous, but then the Bucs beat the Steelers? What is happening?

Things literally change week to week. It seems to me one has to now qualify what team you are talking about based on the week. Week 1 Kansas City Chiefs looked awful. Week 4 Kansas City Chiefs looked great.

Forrest Gump, you just never know what you’re gonna get.

Some things we do know.

The Patriots are officially in trouble, as are the Jets, and the Saints.

Wait, did I just say the Saints?

The Saints are 1-3.

The Raiders are so shitty they just fired their coach, and no one even considers Jacksonville in any discussion other than terrible.

I think the biggest thing to gain from all of this is that unlike years past, you can’t so easily pick who is going to win. Green Bay can’t just look at their schedule and automatically count the Vikings as a win, nor can they automatically look at the Saints and think that’s the hardest game coming up on the schedule. You also can’t just say the Saints are good and the Vikings are bad. That’s just not the case.

One thing still remains though, idiotic Cowboys fans.

NFL.com has this posted …

 

 

 

 

 

Please, stop. You’re just as moronic as the Vikings were after week one proclaiming this was their year! How about we wait until at least midseason to start handing out the division winners.

The above screenshot is why people hate the Cowboys.

And why do we even have a playoff picture on NFL.com? It is week FOUR! Stop it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Giants are patting themselves on the back for being 2-2 and winning their last two games, but, come on, elite? You guys beat Washington and the Texans. I wouldn’t be booking any flights to Arizona quite yet.

Even my beloved Green Bay Packers are singing their own praises. See? They tell us … we told you to relax. We won! Yeah, I don’t think anyone is winning when GB’s defense is in last place on rush defense, 7th in total yards allowed (the Bucs are better), and 21st overall for sacks. I mean, that makes sense. When GB played the Bears, Jay Cutler fumbled the ball twice and each time he was the only person who went for it. He still managed to fumble the ball, pick it up himself, and throw it for a completion against this awesome GB defense. The offense isn’t so spectacular either — 15th in overall passing (behind the Rams) and 28th overall for rushing. I think Jordy Nelson can buy his bikini for Hawaii for the pro bowl, but Eddie Lacy might want to think about booking a ticket to go see mom and dad at that house he bought them (still, what a nice guy).

Because of all this madness, these are the games that I will be watching this glorious week 5 of the NFL.

Vikings at Green Bay Thursday 8:25PM ET

Both teams are 2-2. This game will be a good gauge as to whether GB has turned their season around or if they can be exposed yet again for their many problems on offense and defense. For the Vikes, it will help clear up the muddy waters. They lost to a terrible Pats team and a terrible Saints team but beat a good Falcons team and the Rams (I don’t know what to make of the Rams). No Adrian Peterson to work against the worst rush defense in the league, but McKinnon put up 135 yards against the Falcons so there is a good chance that those numbers will not only repeat, but increase against the Pack. New addition Bridgewater (317 yards against Falcons)  will have his first start against an NFC North team, first start for an away game, and first start at Lambeau. Not only that, but if the Vikings win, it will be the teams first win at Lambeau since since 11/01/2009. Bridgewater may be questionable with a sprained ankle. I’m not really sure who is left to play quarterback. Greg Jennings? Hold on, I just received a memo that it would be Ponder. Oh dear God, I hope so. Wait, I’m not sure. Gimpy ankle or Ponder? Good questions.

Bears at Panthers Sunday 1:00PM ET

Both teams are 2-2. I like both these teams. As for stats, they are pretty evenly matched. NFC conference game. I think it will come down to who can work out the kinks in their armor for this game.

Falcons at Giants Sunday 1:00PM ET

I really just want to watch the Falcons wipe the floor with the Giants. That is all. I love me some Matt Ryan and hate on Eli Manning.

Ravens at Colts 1:00PM ET

This one intrigues me. The Colts have put up some big numbers against some teams, but there is a HUGE footnote. Those big numbers and two wins were against the Jaguars and Titans. That doesn’t count. That’s like me trying to sack Aaron Rodgers — not gonna happen. However, their losses were to the Broncos, and not by much, and the Eagles –both very good teams. I not 100% sold on the Ravens. This game truly has merit to watch.

Final thoughts:

I really wish the Eagles would have won. It’s the first time I have cheered for them since 2004 and the infamous 4th and 26 with Donovan McNabb at the helm during the playoffs. No shit, there is a Wikipedia link for this. I didn’t cheer from them long before that because the Eagles, at the time, were always a thorn in GB’s side, much like the 49ers have been as of late. However, this game, this stupid f’ing game was seared into my memory and solidified my hatred of the Eagles.

Why’d you guys have to go and let me down? I hate you all over again for tempting me to root for you.

Lastly, Tom Brady. I’m not sure how I feel about it because I didn’t watch the whole Monday night game. From what I hear, it wasn’t his fault, well, not only his fault. I’m not sure you pull Brady and bench him. What message does that send your team? It just seems so shitty. Think what you will of the organization. Hate them because they dominated over every other team for what seemed like forever. Yet, Tom Brady getting pulled? That just doesn’t seem right. I’d love to hear people’s thoughts on it who watch more Patriots games than I do. For heaven’s sake, Geno Smith should get pulled, but he doesn’t. Not when he blew it against the Pack and not when he looked like hell against the Lions. It just doesn’t sit well with me.

Oh, I just found this Gif, Steve Smith, what a dick.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

** This blog is made possible thanks to a Moosejaw coupon and a 4inkjets coupon. Enjoy the savings.

Madeline Fresco is a novelist who lives in San Francisco. She is the author of CROSSED THE LINE, available for Kindle at Amazon.com, for Nook at Barnes & Noble, and as an ePub at other eBook retailers. You can also listen to her novel as a free, serialized audiobook at madelinefresco.com. Her second book THE CHOICE, is available on Kindle at Amazon. Her third book ANGUISH, is available for Kindle at Amazon.com

Go For Two: Week 3 NFL Games I’ll Keep My Eye On

I’m excited to watch week 3 of the NFL. Here are the

The Packers at the Lions Sunday 1:00PM ET.

So far the NFC North is tied with everyone in the division at 1-1. Some of those losses were uglier than others. Because everyone in the division is tied at 1-1, this divisional game is of the utmost importance.

I was a bit surprised when I looked at the stats of the game. It shouldn’t surprise me that the Packers are ranked with the 24th offense. We haven’t been very stellar lately. It’s pretty shocking that our offense is worse than our defense, with our defense 19th overall.

In comparison, The Lions are ranked with the 10th overall offense and a defense that is 2nd overall. Those numbers do not instill confidence going into this game.

However, I did just watch the Lions shoot themselves in the foot this past Sunday against the Panthers. The Lions managed to slowly but surely fall so behind on the Panthers that there was no way to dig themselves out. Unless Reggie Bush has a ten foot clearing for him, he does not run the ball effectively.

Also, someone needs to send Stafford the memo that Calvin Johnson is not the only receiver on the team anymore. He could actually throw to Golden Tate — that would open things up a bit. Stafford forced a few too many passes to Calvin and that cost them any chance of making a comeback …

Like my Packers did against the Jets.

The Packers got down real early against the Jets. I’m still mystified how they were able to pull out the win on that one. The Pack need to be breathing a collective sigh of relief that they walked out of that game with a win. They should absolutely feel good about their ability to keep up the good fight, which ultimately allowed them to win, but GUYS! You should also be shitting yourselves with how badly you played in the first quarter last week.

Both the Lions and the Pack are going into this game with something to prove. Stafford needs to spread the ball around more and the Packers need to clean up the mistakes and play better defense.

This is anyone’s game

Other games I will be keeping my eye on:

Ravens (1-1) at Browns (1-1) 1:00PM ET

This is an interesting game. The Ravens had a decisive win against the Steelers in week 2. Steelers, guys, you don’t look so hot this season. As for the Browns, man, you gotta love a team that just beat the Saints and caused Sean Payton to lose his shit on the sideline. Really, that is just embarrassing. When things don’t go right for Payton, he goes all tantrum. The Saints have been an NFC darling for many years as of late. Perhaps their run is over. Starting the season out 0-2 is not gonna sit well for New Orleans, but I digress.

All I really want to say is I hope the Browns win. It’s like seeing the younger brother who’s been kicked around the division year after year finally get a chance to come out on top. Good luck Browns, I’m rooting for you.

As for the Ravens, perhaps they found their rhythm? This divisional game will go a long way in helping eek out who’s good, and who’s just getting by.

Denver (2-0) at Seattle (1-1) 1:25PM ET.

Yadda, yadda, yadda. Super Bowl repeat game. Too much hype for this game and I don’t really care. Seattle is going to be seething about the loss to the Chargers and are gonna come into this game angry. I hope Peyton serves them a piece of humble pie. Also, all those power rankings (okay, I’m looking at you NFL.com) out there that kissed the asses of Seattle after the GB game and were all the rage of repeat Super Bowl? Yeah, well those dumb-asses just got off the ass-kissing train and dropped Seattle to number 7, down 6 spots. Let’s all settle down. And, seriously? You can’t say one week they are going to for sure repeat, and then with one loss, drop them to number 7, after two games. Come on.

 

Lastly, I’d like to laugh at the Vikes. Ha ha. You idiots were sooooooo proud of yourselves from week one. Again, one game does not make a season. I do not wish ill of you. I just would like some perspective. No, you can’t win one game and then lay claim to the NFC North title as if it were already set in stone.

To the New York Football GIants fans out there, no, you may not fire Eli. Remember the 2011 season? You guys asked for Tom Coughlin’s head on a platter. Oh, you guys were gonna fire him! Small side note, you won the Super Bowl that year.

 

I just really like Cutler looking like an idiot

 

** This blog was made possible thanks to 4inkjets coupon and also a Moosejaw coupon.

 

Madeline Fresco is a novelist who lives in San Francisco. She is the author of CROSSED THE LINE, available for Kindle at Amazon.com, for Nook at Barnes & Noble, and as an ePub at other eBook retailers. You can also listen to her novel as a free, serialized audiobook at madelinefresco.com. Her second book THE CHOICE, is available on Kindle at Amazon. Her third book ANGUISH, is available for Kindle at Amazon.com

Go For Two: Green Bay versus Seattle at 5:30 PM PST Thursday September 4th

Green Bay versus Seattle. The first game of the season. The most important for Green Bay.

Everyone will be watching.

What do you need to know?

First off, you need to know what time is the game on so you can have all of your requisite snacks ready. The Seattle versus Green Bay game is on NBC starting at 5:30 PM PST.

The last time these two teams met it changed the course of the 2012 season. At the time NFL referees were on a lockout in a labor dispute with the NFL. After the infamous Fail Mary, the two sides came to an agreement.

Pete Carroll was obnoxious in that game sealing my absolute dislike for him. That on top of his shading dealings at USC, the man is a sketchy at best.

 

Things to know about the Green Bay Packers:

The Green Bay Packers last won the Super Bowl in 2011. Many of the same people are on the team. Over the years since, GB has been plagued by devastating injuries, a horrible defensive coordinator, a horrible defense, and an Achilles Heel of an opponent in San Francisco. We made poor decisions in the 2013 off and preseason when it came to our backup QB situation, which was unfortunately immediately highlighted that very year with multiple Qb’s at the helm while Aaron Rodgers was healing from a broken collarbone.

We went 8-7-1 last season, which, considering the direness of our situation, was pretty spectacular. We still somehow made it into the playoffs (in large part to the utter self-destruction of the Lions and the mediocrity of the Bears), only to have to play, yes, you guessed it, stupid San Francisco.

Here’s what we did to fix the situation.

We used our first draft pick on Ha Ha Clinton-Dix at safety. Okay. I like it.

We acquired some help from the Chicago Bears by getting Julius Peppers. That supposed to help free up Clay Matthews. Although, Peppers is fitted for a 4-3 defense, not a 3-4. That will be something to keep an eye on. Peppers is marketing as a chance for him to showcase his many skills that he hasn’t had a chance to show off. We shall see.

Chicago Bears gave Jay Cutler a huge contract. Yes, I’m counting this in the win category. I was relieved when the Bears took out McCown and put Jay Cutler back in last season when Cutler became healthy again. It’s one of the reasons we went to the playoffs and won our division. Can Jay Cutler be dangerous? Sure. Is he always? No. I’d much rather take my chances playing against Weeping Willow.

GB lost wide receiver James Jones. Who will emerge as the number three in our three wide receiver set?

Questions.

We need better special teams. It’d be nice to not start backed-up against our own end zone. It’d be nice to have a return guy. A confident, non-dropsey kind of player.

Our center is a rookie. Yikes. His name is Corey Linsley and he was a fifth round pick. He did not play in any of the preseason games.

Also, apparently, to replace Raji is Letroy Guion. I have no comment. Well, one. Shit. Good luck Dom Capers. Hope your genius starts kicking in now. I mean, in a 3-4 defense, you sort of need a good nose tackle.

 

Things to know about Seattle:

 

It’s very, very hard to repeat. Very, very few teams have been able to do it. The reason? Loss of teammates to other teams, cockiness, loss of coaching staff, and injuries.  In fact, the 8 Super Bowl winners prior to this Seattle team have not only failed to repeat, but failed to win a playoff game.

Russell Wilson is a great quarterback. This will be his third year in the league. He has a 101.2 passer rating, 7th overall last season. People don’t think he is an elite quarterback, but ask what the Bengals would do to have Russell Wilson, or the Jaguars, or the Dolphins …. the list goes on.

During the off season, Seattle did what they had to do and gave big contracts to two star defensive players, Thomas and Sherman. Sherman was an absolute necessity. Not only for his talent, but if that man didn’t get his pay day, I think there would have been HUGE locker room problems.

Percy Harvin made his presence known in the Super Bowl. He will be a huge target this season for Wilson, something that was not an option for the regular season as Harvin was hurt. He is listed as their number one receiver.

The loss of Golden Tate to Detroit takes away one of Wilson’s receivers. It will be interesting to see who steps up to the plate.  So far, Baldwin is listed as the number two receiver.

The nose tackle, Brandon Mebane will be dealing with rookie center Linsley. Yikes. No one wants a repeat of the Super Bowl’s missed snap for the Broncos.

All I have to say now is I can’t wait for game time!

**

This blog is made possible thanks to a GoDaddy coupon. Get your own blog for just $1.49 with GoDaddy coupon 149scott. Click the link to see more. It is also made possible thanks to a moosejaw coupon.

Madeline Fresco is a novelist who lives in San Francisco. She is the author of CROSSED THE LINE, available for Kindle at Amazon.com, for Nook at Barnes & Noble, and as an ePub at other eBook retailers. You can also listen to her novel as a free, serialized audiobook at madelinefresco.com. Her second book THE CHOICE, is available on Kindle at Amazon. Her third book ANGUISH, is available for Kindle at Amazon.com

 

 

NFL Preview: NFC North

Last season was interesting for the NFC North. Aaron Rodgers was hurt in week 9. Oh joy for the Lions and the Bears! Still, no benefit to the Vikings, they are just shit.

The 2013 Lions were 7-5, having just beat the Packers in week 13. Their future looked bright. I mean, seriously. Rodgers is out, and with 4 games left, and one against the Vikings, they had the NFC North in the bag, right?

Wrong.

The Lions lost all four of their last games.

What will 2014 bring?

Let’s start with my favorite team.

Outlining will begin today

Image of someone’s screenplay

Today I will begin some mild outlining. It’s so exciting, starting a new book.

I have named three of the characters, and I still need to name the husband. I think on one of my therapeutic walks I will determine his name. Maybe that will be the way through this book — very small decisions here and there.

The other thing that was suggested to me was to make it a screenplay. That could be very interesting. I’ve never written a screenplay before. It might actually be a really good learning experience and it might be quite a bit less taxing on the back. It might be a nice way to reenter the novel writing, with a little bit less of the load.

I wonder if there is any good books out thee in regards to screenwriting — I mean, available on Audible. That way I could listen to it while I relax. I really do like Audible. It might be the best of both worlds.

Well, you never know until you give it a go. Either way I would like to try.

This blog is made possible thanks to GoDaddy coupon.

Madeline Fresco is a novelist who lives in San Francisco. She is the author of CROSSED THE LINE, available for Kindle at Amazon.com, for Nook at Barnes & Noble, and as an ePub at other eBook retailers. You can also listen to her novel as a free, serialized audiobook at madelinefresco.com. Her second book THE CHOICE, is available on Kindle at Amazon. Her third book ANGUISH, is available for Kindle at Amazon.com

I’ve decided on a new book!

I have decided on a new book. I have been putting it off, as I’m not well enough to write a whole huge novel. But I feel like I have found a way to do a novel without having to tax my body too much. I can really only stand for an hour, without laying down, and not even consistently through the day.

Therefore, the book that I will be writing will be partially in blog or vlog format. I may actually even write a screenplay if I find that I just can even commit to one hour a day to this.

The book will be called Hope.

It will be centered around a young woman. She will have to face her own demons (although, not literal), makes a very complex decision, which, results in even more complicated decisions. The book will ask the question what is morally acceptable? What is the right thing to do? What can we allow others to do, that we might not find reasonable? Does our opinion change about what is acceptable,  if we have all the facts?

I’m excited.

This blog is made possible thanks to GoDaddy coupon.

Madeline Fresco is a novelist who lives in San Francisco. She is the author of CROSSED THE LINE, available for Kindle at Amazon.com, for Nook at Barnes & Noble, and as an ePub at other eBook retailers. You can also listen to her novel as a free, serialized audiobook at madelinefresco.com. Her second book THE CHOICE, is available on Kindle at Amazon. Her third book ANGUISH, is available for Kindle at Amazon.com