Week 1

Since this very well could (and, based to today's performance, should) be Brett Favre's last season, I am going to blog about each week. This is probably more for personal, therapeutic purposes than entertainment purposes...And since apparently no one reads my blog, this shouldn't bore too many people.

Since I live in Jackson, TN and nowhere near Green Bay and since Green Bay went 4-12 last year I really don't have any chance at watching them on TV unless I go to the local T.J. Mulligan's sports bar...Which I have done religiously for the past two seasons. Today was the first game of the season and a lot of expectation is attached to it. The plan was to go to early church and then Sunday school, be out by 10:45, come home, change clothes and head to Mulligan's for some pre-game action and then watch the Titans' game while waiting for the Packers game which started at 3:15.

The Pack opened against the rival Bears who have one of the best defenses in the league. They completely dismantled the Packers last year and in one game hit Favre so hard, so many times that I literally winced at least five times during that game. It was hard to watch. I sit in the same seat every Sunday in the same, smoke filled back room with the same three people...All of which are at least in their late 60's or early 70's. They are all from Green Bay and one of them used to work for the Packers in the 80's and 90's. I have no idea what their names are or what they do (I assume they're retired). We really don't talk about anything but sports and they talk about their kids sometimes, who are all older than me. Last year, about all we did was complain about Mike Sherman.

Today the Packers sucked. They didn't stink, they sucked! That's the only word that can describe it. Their new coach seems to be inept at best and at worst incapable of coaching a pop Warner team. The Packers needed a quick start and to play with a lead to have a chance at winning this game. It is nearly impossible to beat a team like the Bears playing from behind...Especially when your team starts two rookies at guard. Well, right off the bat Chicago scores on six plays, capped off by a 42 yard pass from a quarterback who was playing his second game in about a year. The Packers came out and played fast which was Coach McCarthy wanted...Oh, wait that's not right. Their first possession was a three and out on three straight running plays. Surely they would open it up a little...But, no. Brett Favre's stats at the end of the half...5-5 for 70 yards. One of the best quarterbacks of all time attempting five passes in a half...Good football. At the end of the first half, 16-0, Chicago.

It only got worse in the second half. Green Bay couldn't move the ball, Favre got impatient and threw two balls right to the defense. Final Score: Chicago 26- Green Bay 0. First time the Packers have been shut out since 1991. I left Mulligan's feeling like I did a lot last year: let down.