POINT AND COUNTERPOINT

Informed commentary on current sports issues with
Nick Freimuth & Paul Schmitt

SPORTS POINT AND COUNTERPOINT

The Packers should let Brett play as long as he wants. I think there is a fraction of 1% of NFL players that should be able to call it quit when they want to, and Brett Favre is definitely in that conversation. After a brilliant 2007 season, where Favre led his team to the NFC Championship game, had one of the highest completion percentages of his career and one of his best passer ratings, he should be welcomed back with open arms to the organization.

Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy should not bank on Aaron Rodgers to help the team return to a (13-3) record and a shot at a Super Bowl. Favre is in great shape at 38 years old. He has never had major knee or shoulder surgery, he has avoided concussions and appears eager to play the game again. A 100% committed Favre allows Green Bay to contend this year for a world championship.

The Green Bay Packers organization is bigger than Favre, but he has earned the right to change his mind. The offense has changed a little in the offseason. Coach McCarthy has tweaked formations and roll out options to get the young quarterback on the edge for a chance to run in short down and distance scenarios. While number four may not want to run like Rodgers does, Brett can throw the quick slant and pick up the needed three yards better than anyone in the league.

Ted Thompson would put a huge blemish on the franchise if he did not allow one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time to come back for another season or two if he so desires. The three time NFL MVP deserves to prove himself one last time. I believe with Favre, Green Bay becomes the number one contender in the NFC this season.

Memo to Brett Favre....BRETT PLEASE GROW UP! I know that sounds a little harsh, but Favre has put the Packer fans, not to mention the organization in a "no-win" situation. When Brett gave his tearful, heartfelt retirement speech in front of the nation four months ago, he risked the door closing behind him. He even said the organization did not pressure him to retire, only to make a decision before the draft and free agency. Well, now as Laurel told Stanley, "this is another fine mess you've got me into". What are the Packers suppose to do now, drop all their plans when Brett "feels" 100% committed to playing this year?

Nick says, "A 100% committed Favre allows Green Bay to contend this year for a world championship." But what happens if the Packers welcome him back and the week before the season starts, Brett changes his mind again. The Packers gave him a couple chances to come back. Now is not the time. This should be Aaron Rodgers team.

Brett, figure out what you want to do the rest of your life and move on. The Packers are NOT going to release you or trade you. Deal with it, and please resolve this soon. You owe it to the Packers, the fans, your family and more importantly to yourself.

SPORTS POINT AND COUNTERPOINT

The Milwaukee Bucks just entered into the NBA free agent signing period. Players cannot officially sign a new contract until July 9, but terms are being negotiated now. Milwaukee is coming off a dismal season with another sub .500 record. The Bucks overhauled their management team with general manager Larry Harris and Head Coach Larry Krystowiak sent packing.

Insert new G.M. John Hammond and new head coach Scott Skiles. The draft last week could have been an opportunity to balance the lineup. Instead, the team overloaded on undersized forwards. The first pick for Milwaukee came at the number eight spot overall. West Virginia's Joe Alexander was selected. The 6-foot-8 power forward is extremely athletic but at the very best could turn into a 15 point and eight rebound guy in a few years.
That leaves the team with a plethora of forwards including Charlie Vilanueva, Dan Gadzuric, Richard Jefferson, Desmond Mason, second round draft choice Luc Mbah a Moute, Michael Ruffin and Awvee Storey. Now that’s a logjam.

The Bucks again failed to address their major position of need. This season, the team desperately needs a new point guard. The extremely talented and physically mature D.J. Augustine from Texas was still on the board for Milwaukee at number eight. The Bucks passed, something the team rarely does on the court, and he was the next player selected. There is no indication that the Milwaukee Bucks will be able to compete for a playoff spot in 2009.

Okay, I’ll be the first to say I was way off last year in predicting a winning season for the Milwaukee Bucks. I tip my hat to my counterpart. Nick, you hit it right on the head when you said the Bucks “lack of defensive intensity is disheartening for a basketball purist, who believes defense is the key to success.”

Now fast-forward eight months later, the Bucks have hired a new coach and general manager. Scott Skiles will bring the hard-nosed defensive approach his predecessor Larry Krystowiak failed to do. Mainly because of Larry Harris’ personnel moves that lacked foresight and chemistry on the floor. John Hammond saw this and started cleaning house on draft day. First, he shipped an injury-prone and over-paid Bobby Simmons along with disappointing rookie Yi Jianlian to the New Jersey Nets for a proven all-star in Richard Jefferson. Not only will Jefferson provide 20 points a game and leadership, but also something that’s been missing in Milwaukee for a long time….a DEFENSIVE attitude.

Jefferson, a small forward, is only 28 years old and should be in the prime of his career. It shows that Hammonds is willing to take a risk, to win games this year.

In the NBA draft last Thursday, Hammonds and Skiles went for Joe Alexander, a 6-8, tough, athletic forward with a tremendous upside. Coming from Bob Huggins program at
West Virginia, Alexander should fit in nicely to Skiles’ “defense-first” philosophy. He may not be a huge impact this year. But look for him to be a six man off the bench who Will be more productive and advanced than the less physical Yi was last year. Luc Richard Mbah A Moute, the Bucks second round pick, will surprise and contribute next season with his defensive and rebounding expertise.

Hammonds is not finished either. Look for the Bucks to make another move or two. Mo Williams and/or Michael Redd, the “first shoot and pass the ball later” backcourt could be gone. And don’t’ be surprised when malcontent Charlie Villaneuva is traded for a REAL power forward who plays some defense.

Last Thursday may not have turned the Bucks into NBA Title contenders, but it sure was a step in the right direction for this once proud franchise to get back into Play-off contention.

I know optimism is reigning supreme for the 2008 Milwaukee Brewers, but I have an uneasy feeling on how this year will play out. The Brewers blew an eight and one-half game lead over the Cubs last year.
They managed to finish 83-79 and stay in the race until the final weekend. That’s called a lost opportunity. Why? Because I believe, the Brewers can win 90 games this year and STILL not make the playoffs. Here is how I see it playing out.
Nick Freimuth says the National League Central is “still a weak division”. I see it differently. The Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals have the experienced heavy hitters and starting pitching to match, if not better the back end of the Brewers young rotation.
Mr. Freimuth also says that the Brewers don’t have to worry about a closer, since “they will be up by eight runs in the eighth inning”. This is very dangerous thinking since the Brewers lost a record amount of games last year, when leading by four or more runs. Last year the Brewers couldn’t get to the ninth inning to close out many games with a dependable Francisco Cordero.
This year they might get to the ninth, but unfortunately, Eric Gagne is no Cordero. Any expectations for a World Series in Milwaukee should be tempered til’ next year. You have to be able to crawl before you can run and 90 wins, even without making the playoffs, is a good brisk walk.
Look for the Mets and Phillies to both win over 90 games. As far as the Central division, it will be a great race with the Cubs prevailing late again. I hope I’m wrong, but at least the future Mrs. Freimuth will be happy anyway, right Nick?

The Milwaukee Brewers could be on the fast track to an appearance in the World Series. During the Brewers' 24-10 start of the 2007 season, I disputed a fellow DoorCountyDailyNews.com sports writer in saying that the Brewers were not ready to contend. What a difference a year makes. Last year I said, "This team's upside is phenomenal, but they are too green to win it all this soon."
I expressed concerns about their young core that could not keep up to the expectations for an entire season. I also said, "The starting rotation will start to waiver and the lack of a dominant lefty in the bullpen will prove costly down the stretch."
This year's Milwaukee baseball team is ready to seriously contend for a spot in the World Series. The NL Central is still a weak division, so they should have no problem earning their way into the playoffs. All of their success hinges on the overall health of the team, however.
If Ben Sheets, Bill Hall, Rickie Weeks and the rest of the players tagged with the "injury prone status" can stay off the disabled list, Milwaukee will win the division. There are still some concerns with the pitching staff. The closer situation is nowhere as good as it was a year ago. However, with an eight-run lead in the ninth, the Brew Crew will not need complete dominance in that position.
This is the best batting order Milwaukee has put on the lineup card in over two decades. I am excited to watch the progression that the Milwaukee Brewers will continue to make in 2008.

SPORTS POINT AND COUNTERPOINT

By Nick Freimuth DoorCountyDailyNews.com

If you are looking to win your office NCAA bracket pool, do not pick with your heart (ESPECIALLY THIS YEAR). The Wisconsin Badgers and Marquette Golden Eagles will not take us on the ride some may be expecting. The Badgers do not have a consistent big time scorer to rescue them against the run and gun teams of the PAC-10 and ACC. If defense truly wins championships, the Badgers would have won a National title under Dick Bennett. This year's Badgers squad has the best offensive balance Madison has seen in over a decade.

However, balance is not everything. When selecting your NCAA brackets pick teams with two three and even four potential NBA difference makers. Those teams are UCLA, UNC, and Kansas. I believe the UCLA Bruins are best equipped to handle any style of play and will move on to a national championship.

The Badgers got the shaft with the number three seed, but snuck into a relatively light regional. The Midwest has two teams that have a legitimate chance of winning the national championship, Kansas and Georgetown. Not the Badgers.

I played little league baseball with Wisconsin center Brian Butch and have a routing interest. He was a great athlete then and is still ripping it up today, but I just don’t think there is enough around him to lift the Badgers to the Elite Eight.

Marquette is excessively inconsistent. Junior point guard Dominic James has proved one thing this season. It was the right decision to avoid the NBA draft last year and he should do the same again after this season. I would not be surprised to see the Golden Eagles go down in the first round against Kentucky. If they do escape their first round match up, it's lights out for them against Stanford.

Wisconsin and Marquette basketball fans don't buy into the hype Paul Schmitt will try to sell you. He is a salesman by profession, so I could understand if you do. Take it from the sports reporter, Wisconsin will be knocked out in the sweet 16 and Marquette falls early.

The Wisconsin Badgers will get to the final four and the Marquette Golden Eagles will make it to the sweet sixteen. That's my prediction as "March Madness" sweeps the nation. First, Marquette. The Golden Eagles might be the anti-badgers. They have wonderfully skilled athletes who love to run up and down the court. The frantic pace fits Marquette's coach Tom Crean's personality and approach. It's fun to watch, but unfortunately the sixth seeded Golden Eagles do not have the inside game to grind out victories deep into the tournament. Look for Marquette to upend Kentucky and slip past Stanford, before getting run out of gym by the Texas Longhorns.

Now the Badgers, Bo Ryan has brought a complete team concept to Madison, reminiscent of the Dick Bennett years. In fact, it was eight years ago when the Badgers, as an eighth seed, shocked the basketball world by making it to the final four. Wisconsin will play down and up to any level of competition, which is dangerous, but they always seems to find a way to win. That's a team that will go deep into the NCAA tournament. With six players averaging between 7.5 and 12.5 points per game, the Badgers have too many options for any team to shut down.

Maybe when they run into UCLA or North Carolina, the talent might be too good to overcome. But until then, look for Wisconsin to dominate Cal State-Fullerton, comeback and defeat a fast-paced USC team, out-muscle the Georgetown Hoyas, and then dismantle the surprising Vanderbilt Commodores in the Regional final. After a hard-fought defeat against North Carolina in the final four, the Badgers will finish 33-5, and that folks is a great season by anyone's account.

Side note: UCLA will beat Texas in the semi-finals before defeating North Carolina 87-82 in the finals. Get your brackets filled-in and let the madness begin!

Sports Point And Counterpoint

Well, It had to come sooner or later. Brett Favre officially announced his retirement
from the Green Bay Packers. Cheesehead Nation is still mourning over his surprising
decision. My heart tells me Brett has another year or two left in him.

Why not come back and lead the Pack for another Super Bowl run? I’ll tell you why. It’s because Brett’s heart is telling him to hang it up now and enjoy his much-deserved retirement away from the game. Not many players get to leave the NFL on their terms. Brett Favre is an icon and hero to many. But he is also human. That means he knows in HIS heart, it’s time to move on.

Sure he had a great season last year and the Packers have a roster of very young and talented players. That’s great, but it does not guarantee another13-3 season or NFC Championship game next year. Especially when you consider that Favre will be 39 years old in October. People will say he’s retiring too early. He’s still got it. Just ONE more season. Think about it for a minute though. This is the perfect time for Brett to ride off in the sunset. Sure his last pass was an interception. But that won’t bother him. He always played the game on the edge and was willing to take risks. That’s what made him a great NFL quarterback.

He’s broken just about every conceivable passing record. He’s won a Super Bowl. He’s been a three-time MVP. He’s a guaranteed first ballot hall-of-famer. He’s arguably the best player ever to play in the NFL. What else is there for him to play for? The Packers are a stronger organization than ever and can survive a Post-Favre era.

Former first round draft pick Aaron Rodgers, who has patiently waited in the wings, is ready for the challenge. Change is inevitable as difficult as it may be to accept sometimes. But Brett’s decision to retire is the right time in his mind. That’s all that matters. He deserves a rousing send off and a collective “thanks for the memories” from all football fans. I just hope that it’s a final decision.

A “Michael Jordan” type of retirement would only tarnish his exit from the game. Good-bye and good luck Brett. You deserve time with your family and a great life after Football. It’s nice to see you literally walk away from the game healthy, happy and content. You did it your way, even in retirement. You’re leaving the game where you deserve…on top!

#4 Leaves Game "Favre" Too Early

This is a sports editorial I have dreaded writing for the past five years. Brett Favre announced his retirement to the Green Bay Packers and the sun has set on an amazing era in Titletown. A legend has said goodbye to a franchise after 16 seasons in the green and gold. You just heard Paul Schmitt say Favre should have walked away and made the right decision.

I completely disagree. I do not want to see Favre’s last pass in the NFL go for an interception to the New York Giants in the NFC Championship. I want to see all legends go out on top and while Favre had a great season that last pass will haunt him forever.

Favre left a phone message on ESPN anchor Chris Mortensen’s cell phone stating, “I’m just tired. Physically I feel ok…I can’t complain.” Well if you feel ok, there is no reason to walk away from the most talented team Favre has ever played on. Those are his words not mine. The young talent has gained valuable experience this past season and is a favorite to get to the Super Bowl in the NFC. That won’t be the case with Favre in retirement.

This may be selfish, but I am upset with the future Hall of Famer’s decision. He has always been up for a challenge. In his retirement message to Chris Mortensen he also said, "the more we won the more stressful it got and I was always trying to top what I had done the previous week. I felt like in coming back (for) this upcoming season, the only way to me...that it would be successful is to go to a Super Bowl. Anything less this year would have been disappointing for me. To me the only way to come back and feel like I made the right decision would be to come back and win the Super Bowl and the odds of that are tough. That’s big shoes to fill for me and that was a challenge that I guess I wasn’t up for. I know I can play.”
That couldn't have been Brett Favre on that message. The Favre I know says I will beat my addiction to pain killers; I will overcome my father's death; We can overcome my wife's battle with breast cancer. Not, I'm afraid if I don't win a Super Bowl this year it could be disappointing for me.

McCarthy also said in his press conference yesterday that, “In my opinion, I think Brett could have played again at the level that he just played this past season. The film reflects that. The statistics reflect that. I thought he played at a very high level this year and definitely had a lot left in his tank.” If you don’t believe me take it from what Brett and his coaches have said over the past 24 hours. McCarthy knows Brett can still play and what disturbs me is that Brett knows he can still play and better than most. That is why he should have come back for at least one more season. To again rise to the challenge and prove to everyone that #4 could bring one more Lombardi Trophy back to Green Bay before he rides his John Deer tractor off into the sunset.

SPORTS POINT AND COUNTERPOINT

Take it from someone who really underestimated the Green Bay Packers this year, the 2007 season was a huge success. The only prediction I got right was that I figured they would lose in the NFC championship game, but that was only after the regular season was done. A 13-3 regular season record along with a divisional playoff victory definitely over
 shadows the stinging Giant loss, even though Cheesehead nation is now scrambling to get airfare and room refunds from Arizona. But let’s backtrack. Rewind to just two years ago. The Packers were coming off a 4-12 season and Ted Thompson had just fired
Mike Sherman. Brett Favre was coming off his worst season ever and the franchise was
scratching it’s collective head wondering “how did we get here?”. Well, after two
strong drafts and a rejuvenated Favre, the Pack is Back! And back for years to come. Granted, everyone says if you don’t win the Super Bowl, how can you call the season a success. I beg to differ. How can you call a 14-4 team that has nearly half it’s roster with
players with two years or less experience unsuccessful? How can you call a 14-4 team
that captured the hearts of “doubting Thomas’” fans with inspired play and a never give up attitude a failure. Sure the Packers lost is heartbreaking, but take comfort in knowing that regardless if number four comes back next year or not, the Packers should be Super Bowl contenders for the next few years. Mike McCarthy and Ted Thompson will be the first to tell you that anything less than a Super Bowl victory is NOT success. But deep down, and after Super Bowl XLII is distant memory, EVERYONE should look back at the 2007 Green Bay Packers and proudly exclaim “THIS SEASON WAS A UNEXPECTED AND HUGE SUCCESS!”

The Packers had a season that shocked the entire football world. The post season was a totally different picture. After exceeding everyone’s expectations, Green Bay fans were riding high with the assumption that they would have a shot at the undefeated Patriots in the Super Bowl. The Packers are a more talented team than the New York Giants. With any form of execution, the Pack should have walked over the opponent in the NFC
 championship game.
The season in my eyes is not a success because anything short of a Super Bowl win is losing. It is like telling John Kerry that his 2004 presidential campaign was successful. He lost to Bush it was a failure. PERIOD!
If the Packers or their fans are silly enough to think this year was a success, than they are not asking enough of their team. Patriot fans would tell you anything short of a Super Bowl win is an unsuccessful season. That attitude is what will take the Packers back to title contention. Complacency and a sense of pride for finishing fourth in the NFL is the worst-case scenario.
I challenge all Packers fans to ask for more from their team in 2008. Losing twice to the Bears in one year is not acceptable. For that reason alone, the season was a failure to me. You know what old Vince Lombardi would say. "Winning isn't everything it's the only thing." and ""The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather is a lack of will." The Packers did not will themselves to Super Bowl XLII, thus the season was not a success.
Paulie, I understand your editorial opinions on the Packers have been negative all season and this is the first shot I'm taking at the green and gold since the pre-season, but bandwagon jumping is usually reserved for Vikings, Lions and Cowboys fans.

Okay, I admit it. I was dead wrong on the Packers this year. They proved me and a lot of other people wrong. I thought the Packers would be competitive and win maybe seven or eight games this year. But THIRTEEN? Wow, what a year! I'm sure glad I was wrong in this case. But the playoffs are a whole different animal. Let me pull out my ole' "cracked" crystal ball this time. Well, I can't see much. It's all hazy and a fuzzy. That's right it's Mid-January at snowy and cold Lambeau Field. It's the NFC divisional championship...Packers versus the Buccaneers. Brett Favre throws for three touchdowns and Ryan Grant
rushes for 140 yards as the Pack tame the Bucs 31-20.
Now my crystal ball clears for the moment. Ah yes, it's sunny Texas Stadium in Dallas on January 20. The Cowboys are hosting the Packers in the NFC championship game. The Packers lead early 14-3, but Tony Romo hooks up with Terrell Owens twice in the fourth quarter and Dallas nips the Pack 31-27 to go to Super Bowl XLII (where they get destroyed by the New England Patriots 48-17). My crystal ball now goes blank. But don't fear Packer fans, I caught a glimpse of Super Bowl XLIII. The Vince Lombardi Trophy comes home to Green Bay as Brett Favre hoists the trophy up high and tearfully announces his retirement at the post-game celebration!

The Green Bay Packers are not only in the playoffs but are favorites to play in the NFC Championship game. That comes as a surprise to many. At the beginning of the season, nobody thought this team could win 13 games and stroll into the playoffs with a first round bye. In an earlier "Sports Point and Counterpoint" Paul Schmitt and I bantered about the Packers playoffs hopes. I firmly believed after a (6-1) start in October, Green Bay would continue their winning ways. The last sentence of my earlier editorial was, "I'm buying my tickets to the NFC Championship game without a doubt." I still believe that is going to happen.
The Packers offense will be able to handle any of the defenses they may face next Saturday. The Seattle Seahawks are the likely opponents and Mike McCarthy will have his team ready to play. The only thing that worries me when Seattle and Green Bay match up is the Holmgren factor. There is not a single person in the NFL that knows Brett Favre better than the former leader of the Pack Mike Holmgren.
Despite the potential for the second round game in Lambeau to be a trap game, I believe the Packers are Super Bowl bound. I cannot believe I just said it but Super Bowl XLII will feature a team led by Brett Favre. Glendale, Arizona will be filled with cheese heads in disbelief.
The Packers will be there for three simple reasons.
1) BRETT FAVRE - The fearless quarterback has managed the offense better than ever. He set a career record for completion percentage and has the weapons to make him feel confident every time he drops back to pass. Favre is throwing fewer interceptions and compelling his team to play to their ability and beyond.
2) MIKE MCCARTHY - I believe McCarthy should be awarded with Coach of the Year honors. He worked with less and got more out of his team than any other coach in the league. His emphasis on the fundamentals will propel this team to a Super Bowl.
3) DEFENSE - If defense wins championships, Green Bay has a chance. The Packers have great run-stopping ability led by Ryan Pickett up front. Defensive ends Aaron Kampman, Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila and Cullen Jenkins play run and pass extremely well. Linebackers Nick Barnett, A.J. Hawk and Brady Poppinga are the hungriest group of young players at the position. Finally, Al Harris, Charles Woodson and Nick Collins in the secondary can match up with the best wide receivers in the game.

It's as easy as 1-2-3. The Packers will be in Super Bowl XLII.

Although the Green Bay Packers deserved to have more participants in this year’s Pro Bowl than four, the whole concept of having an all-star game AFTER the regular season is a joke. The National Football League should scrap the meaningless Pro Bowl and just have the coaches in the league vote on the All-Pro teams from each conference. That’s it. Forget about a game that is played a week after the Super Bowl in which most of the superstars take a pass or go through the motions. Forget about a game that is the most boring of the year. They should call it the “Snore Bowl”. Forget about a game that has NEVER been for the fans, just a reward for the players who get a trip to Hawaii. But knowing the NFL, it’ll probably continue this innocuous tradition for the next decade or two. In the meantime, I’m not going to lose any sleep over the Pro Bowl selections, even though the Cowboys received 11 selections and the Vikings placed 7 starters in the game. In the meantime, the Packers should focus on the upcoming play-offs and worry about the only “Bowl” that matters, the Super Bowl. If individual recognition is important to the Packers and fans, the Pro Bowl snubs should only ensure that Mike McCarthy is the “NFL Coach of the Year”. Then again, sportswriters decide that award and you know what they know about football!

Wooooah Mr. Schmitt! You exude passion on this topic and that is spectacular. Take a second, sit back and think this through logically. You know, irrational decisions can be made when you don’t think something through.
The Pro Bowl is about one thing and one thing only…MONEY. The NFL played a regular season game in London this year. A home game was taken away from the New York Giants when they played Miami at Wembley Stadium. The game was held to raise awareness for the league in a global light.
Hawaii hosts the annual all-star game in the NFL and people there love the sport. Why? Because thousands of NFL fans from the contiguous United States travel to the island and spend money.
The Pro Bowl is an excellent idea for the league. It is a chance for players to fraternize, plead their case as to why another star should consider his team and give players more face recognition.
The game is more about the sideline interviews than the product on the field. It is a marketing masterpiece and has gone over well.
As for the Packers not receiving equal representation in the game compared to the Dallas Cowboys, that is a mockery. Nick Barnett is the best middle linebacker in the NFC this year and somehow he was bypassed for two players that play on far worse teams. Greg Jennings is second in the NFC in touchdown catches and has a higher average reception total than teammate Donald Driver.
You could make serious cases for Charles Woodson, Mark Tauscher, Nick Collins, Ryan Grant, Donald Lee and Scott Wells too.
The voting is based on name recognition and the Packers lack in that category. That’s what happens when a team has the youngest roster in the league. Players and fans have been unable to familiarize themselves with the names on the most surprising team in the league.
The positive that can and I believe will come from the Packers being slighted in the Pro Bowl is ideal. Green Bay players have a bigger chip on their shoulder because of the Pro Bowl balloting results and will play that way for the rest of the season and into the playoffs.

The Milwaukee Bucks will be a non-factor in the NBA Eastern Division again this season. The 2007-2008 season is just under way and already the Bucks have disappointed. Their lack of defensive intensity is disheartening for a basketball purist, who believes defense is the key to success. In addition, I am a firm believer that if your team does not pass the ball extremely well, you will fail to outscore your opponent.

Michael Redd will need to average 45 points per game this season for Milwaukee to be in the race for a playoff spot. Unfortunately, he is the only player that has proven that he can score on a nightly basis. Andrew Bogut, Charlie Villanueva, Desmond Mason, Charlie Bell and Mo Williams all bring something unique to the table but have not proven anything at the NBA level.

Yi Jianlian will not live up to the hype the Chinese media has pumped in to Milwaukee's sails. He may turn into a solid sixth man some day. I believe the Bucks have been forced into staring him because of his holdout earlier this year. It is strictly my belief that the Chinese Basketball Association put a clause in the contract that forces Bucks Coach Larry Krystkowiak to start him and ensure that he plays at least 60% of the minutes. With that as a possible stipulation to signing Yi, the Bucks will come up short on the scoreboard and in the standings.

In order to win in the Eastern Conference, teams need solid and consistent play in the post. Milwaukee lacks strong, big-bodied post players that can mash with other power forwards and centers in the East.

The final reason why I believe the Bucks will be a pretender this season is youth. No one on the Milwaukee squad has any experience with winning. They say winning breeds winning and losing breeds losing. Well, the 2007 Bucks have all experienced more of the ladder. This team is missing a proven winner and unless Kareem Abdul Jabbar or Oscar Robertson decide to dawn the Buck's uniforms again, Milwaukee is destine for failure.

I believe this is the year the Milwaukee Bucks make a run in the NBA Eastern
Conference. After a disappointing 2006-07 campaign, which saw the Bucks win finish
Dead last in the central with a 28-54, a healthy and deep roster could bode well for a
Run into the playoffs.

The Bucks were playing well up to January last year when a string of debilitating
Injuries left only a shell of the original starting unit to play out the season.
Season ending injuries to Bobby Simmons, Charlie Villanueva, Michael Redd and Andrew Bogart doomed the Bucks to a pitiful finish.

Now fast-forward to this year. A frontcourt featuring a healthy Bobby Simmons, the seven-foot Chinese phenom Yi Jianlian and a more determined and stronger Andrew Bogut in the middle, gives the Bucks a formidable threesome. Throw in the return of
Desmond Mason, a healthy Villanueva and Dan “the energizer bunny” Gadzuric,
And the Bucks have the depth to withstand an injury or two during the season.

In the Backcourt, Moe Williams and perennial All-Star Michael Redd gives the Bucks
one of the best backcourts in the league. Charlie Bell returns as the back up at both guard
positions and offers experience and defense.

Speaking of defense, the biggest addition to the Bucks this year may not be a player.
Larry Krystkowiak who coached the final month and half last year, brings a no-nonsense,
In-your-face defensive philosophy. His positive, yet firm, hands-on approach will reflect well on this young but relatively experienced team. Couple that with a weak Eastern Conference which has no clear cut favorite, and you have a recipe for the Bucks to make some noise this year.

The Bucks went to the playoffs two years ago and did beat the soon-to-be Champion Pistons in one game, which was more than any other Eastern team did. Look for the Bucks to make a return trip and a possible run deep into the playoffs. I’m not saying they’ll win it all, but a 45-50 win season is not unrealistic. Good News sports fans! That would mean that all three professional teams in Wisconsin would post winning records in the last year. And it’s been a while since we could say that.

I know this is going to sound like I jumped off the bandwagon, or never
was on it to begin with, but The Green Bay Packers cannot be taken serious as a contender in the NFC this year. It’s way to early to start talking
playoffs and Super Bowl. Granted, the Packers have made substantial strides in improving from the last couple mediocre seasons. But with no running game in
sight and a defense that has yet to shut down any teams this year, the Packers are
still a year or two away from being a true contender. With 25 players on the roster
having less than two years of NFL experience, the Packers are just too young and inexperienced. Veteran teams like the Cowboys, Bears and even the Giants are the teams
that will be there in the end.

Now it’s true the Packers have beaten some good teams, like the Chargers and Giants.
but that came early in the year when those teams were struggling. Even the Philadelphia
opening game victory, looks less impressive now that the Eagles are not the contender people thought they were.

Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy should be complemented for getting the most out of
their roster, but it’s far too early to start printing play-off tickets and talking about a return to the Super Bowl. Thompson had a plan when he came in and the Packers are on schedule, it just won’t be this year.

Due to free agency and the nature of the business, no teams have great depth. But the
Packers lack depth at key positions. Namely, the offensive line, defensive back field and
Linebackers. If, and it’s a big if, the Packers stay healthy, they could prove me wrong.
I just wouldn’t bet on it.

Another thing going against the Pack is their schedule. Four of their final six games are on the road. Winning in December is crucial for a play-off run and a lot of tough road games will make it that more difficult. Late season games at Dallas, at Detroit and at Chicago may be more than these young Packers can handle.

If I have one message to Packer fans in Packerland, it’s to enjoy the current ride and be excited for the future. Just don’t expect too much, too soon. The Packers are still a year or two away from contending. Just ask the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Green Bay Packers are one of three teams that have a legitimate shot at representing the NFC in the Super Bowl. The 2007 team is a running back away from being the favored franchise in the conference and Brett Favre makes up for that deficiency pretty well. The (6-1) start is all cheese heads need to look at for proof that the Packers are for real and will be plying in the NFC Championship. The last time Green Bay had this kind of start they hosted a first round playoff game. In 1996, their (6-1) start ended with a Super Bowl victory.

   Paul Schmitt, I'm not sure about your Packer-backer status anymore. You are tying to tell me that this team has a difficult schedule down the stretch. That is simply not the case. The Oakland Raiders, winless St. Louis Rams and Chicago Bears still loom on the horizon. There is not a scenario that plays out where the Packers do not make the playoffs, in my opinion. I know I may have just jinxed Wisconsin's team, but besides the Cowboys, no teams scare me.

   Green Bay's shutdown defense led by Charles Woodson, Al Harris, Nick Barnett and Aaron Kampman is all the proof you need that this team will be there past the first round of the playoffs. The old saying "defenses win championships" is absolutely true in the NFL. Their 19-13 win over Denver at Invesco Field was all the evidence that this team can play on the road, in a tight game, faced with adversity and still come out with the win.

   The Packers are here! Wisconsinites stand up and be proud of the product on the field. The national media has not jumped on the Packer bandwagon yet because of a bunch of young unknown athletes. Green Bay has the best record in the NFC. They should be favored in every game for the rest of the season. The only game that the Packers will be underdogs is the November 29 game at Dallas. If Green Bay pulls off that game, I'm buying my tickets to the NFC Championship game without a doubt.

Although it seems a disappointment, dropping from probable third to definite sixth, the Bucks will get a coveted, underrated and much-needed player in the draft.

Milwaukee desperately needs a true point guard, so let’s imagine Milwaukee did select third overall. General Manager Larry Harris could not justify Conley at number three. The only other legitimate, big-time point guard prospect in the draft, Acie Law from Texas A&M, is nowhere near a top-five pick.

Therefore, at number three, Milwaukee ignores needs and selects a forward/center. The sixth pick forces and allows the Bucks to look at other positions in the draft.

Plus, if Milwaukee truly believes the unfortunate injuries caused a horrendous year, then we must assume they’ll have plenty returning at forward/center. Coming off injuries, Charlie Villanueva, Andrew Bogut and Bobby Simmons should provide enough inside presence.

With T.J. Ford already gone and Mo Williams possibly finished, Conley would fit perfectly. He’s quick and smart with great vision. More importantly, he doesn’t need the spotlight. Playing with Oden, Conley was Robin to Oden’s Batman. As a point guard, that mentality will lift a team a long way. Rather than individual statistics, Conley would prefer to win games and make those around him better.

Consider other first round forward taken by Milwaukee: Danny Fortson, Robert Traylor, Marcus Haislip and Vin Baker. Perhaps it’s a blessing Milwaukee slipped to six and can ponder other options.

My message to Milwaukee: Invest in Andrew Bogut and Michael Redd by finally surrounding them with a legitimate, potential Hall-of-Fame point guard.

Conoley Jr. was a package deal with Greg Oden coming out of high school and a number of Division 1 schools rejected the point guard because of his unimpressive athletic ability and average basketball IQ.

The 2007 draft will give Milwaukee the opportunity to make their front court one of the most lethal in the Eastern Conference. Corey Brewer will be the sixth pick in the draft.

The 21 year old from Florida will be the perfect chemistry player for the small market team. Brewer is a great story. Instead of heading for the NBA draft after a stellar sophomore season and a National championship, Brewer decided to further develop his game at the collegiate level. The young man did the right thing!

Brewer and his teammates Al Horford and Joakim Noah played the team game and will all make positive impacts on their future NBA teams.

Brewer will play the team game, make the extra pass to set up Michael Redd and rebound with the best of them. He knows how to win and will bring that experience and confidence into a locker room that needs a lift. The junior from Florida is 6'9" and has great foot-speed. His desire will make him an exceptional defender at the next level.

If the Bucks pull the trigger on the Most Outstanding Player of the 2007 NCAA Tournament Final Four they will create match up problems for nearly every team in the East. Andrew Bogut is 7' and Charlie Villanueva is 6'11".

Mo Williams averaged 17.3 points per game, 4.80 rebounds per game and 6.1 assists per game last year for the Bucks. 2007 was Williams third year in the NBA and he will only get better. Give him a chance to grow and mold with the other current Bucks and draft a guy with a positive attitude that will make the team better. Corey Brewer is the logical pick for the Bucks with the number six overall spot in this year's draft.

The draft is the proverbial bedroom mirror. It forces a team to assess its weaknesses and identify holes. At some point in each off-season, a team must fill those weaknesses. Ted Thompson's strategy of drafting the best player available is fine as long as needs are met through free agency.

This off-season Green Bay neglected to fill obvious holes. However, Thompson still drafted “the best player available." you can’t afford that luxury when nothing was done through free agency to address other huge needs.

Green Bay selected Justin Harrell in the first round. Very simply, Harrell wasn’t even the best player available at 16. Brady Quinn was definitively the best value.

Maybe Thompson really believes in Aaron Rodgers. Ok. Fine. What about Robert Meachem, Dwayne Bowe, Leon Hall or Reggie Nelson?

Harrell, largely regarded as a second round talent, struggled to overcome injuries at Tennessee. Question marks surround whether he will withstand the rigors of an NFL season.

Following the first round, in what can only be described as a pathetic attempt to fill needs, Green Bay selected a running back with bad shoulders (Brandon Jackson), a slow wide receiver (James Jones) and a speedy wide receiver who doesn’t run great routes (David Clowney).

The exact same issues remain for Green Bay. Ahman Green left a huge hole at running back. Green Bay did nothing to address it. Brett Favre still lacks a dynamic tight end to stretch the middle of the field. Green Bay did nothing to address it. At wide receiver, Favre possesses capable players at his disposal; however, none of them are gamebreakers. Predictably, Green Bay did nothing to address it.

At what point is it detrimental to disregard glaring holes and simply select the best player available? Thompson preaches building through the draft. Unfortunately, I have no idea what Green Bay is building.

Before we hang Packers General Manager Ted Thompson, lets remember what fans were thinking after the 2006 draft. Thompson hit on a sure-fire number five pick in A.J. Hawk. After that people were confused by the franchise’s decision to pick Daryn College, Jason Spitz and Tony Moll. The three turned out to be reliable and are now viewed as the corner stones of Green Bay’s offensive line.

The 2007 draft was filled with offensive expectations but with the number 16 selection defensive tackle Justin Harrell was taken. Ted Thompson said Harrell was the best player left on their draft board so he went with his motto, “don’t’ fill a need, draft the best talent available.”

The Packers need was obviously a running back, wide receiver or tight end. While the Packers did not address those needs in the first round, at least the brain trust stood by their motto. Coaches and GM’s that flip flop on their word are most times unsuccessful. So give this staff credit for standing by their word.

Donald Driver and Greg Jennings made a nice receiving tandem last season. Jennings, barring the sophomore slump, will take another step forward. The forgotten intangible in the equation is Robert Ferguson. He has been disappointing in a word to this point in his career, but Coach Mike McCarthy and his staff have big plans for the underachieving possession receiver.

Green Bay’s second round draft pick Brandon Jackson from the University of Nebraska will surprise many in the next three years. He may not be an impact player in his rookie season, but I believe he has the intangibles that make him a durable back in the NFL.
James Jones could be a Greg Jennings repeat. Jones provides the Pack with much needed size and provides a great target for Favre. If he can gel with Favre this could be a difference maker by week 5 in 2007.

The jury is out on this year’s draft. Be patient Packer fans and let the most recent draft class prove themselves before we call them losers.