Apropos of nothing, that sure was an interesting game last night. All is right in pundit-land, and the world is safe for casual football fans now that Green Bay has destroyed the wannabe contenders, the Chicago Bears. You know, the team that gave away 2 1st round picks, and Kyle Ortron, for the services of one Jay Cutler. The guy that threw 4 picks last night. Sure, he was under massive pressure, but you look at a guy like Cutler, and a guy like Alex Smith, who gets 1/10 the national press that Cutler gets, and you see the disparity in reality where it comes to quarterbacking in the National Football League. At least as of now.
Cutler is the gunslinging mad man who takes too many risks, and more often than not shoots himself in the foot while trying to lead his team to victory. He whines to the press, to his coaches, and to anyone who will listen about his misfortunes while Smith is the methodical plodder who moves the team downfield and gets some kind of points at the risk of throwing a pick. Cutler had the luck to start out with a coaching staff that was QB-friendly with Shanahan and Dennison. His 2 full seasons in Denver garnered a ton of yards and 45 TDs, but throw in the 32 picks, and you have a problem with finishing games. Smith on the other hand has had a harrowing journey to respectability in his NFL. As of now, he’s still considered a game manager. He gets a little bit of credit for the GB win. Seeing how GB’s defense did against Cutler and Co. it gives me the thought that maybe Smithis better than the game manager he’s made out to be.
In the end, it’s all bullshit as Smith isn’t a media hound, and he goes about his business of leading the team quietly and effectively. Sure, it’s early, and sure, one of the knocks on Alex is consistency, but as of now, he seems to have a firm grasp of the concept that risking a turnover is much worse than taking the sack. Leading the team to any kind of points is better than throwing the needless pick. Even with that thought, last week’s game had to be a revelation for Smith, seeing as he threw 15 passes to his wideouts. Folks gain. poo-pooed his relatively paltry numbers, (211 passing yards), but the truth of the matter is, this team runs the ball very well. To go away from that would be monumentally stupid. Most teams out there would love to have the balance the Niners regularly show. 211 passing and 189 rushing? What’s not to like?
Oh, I get it. Fans these days are caught up in the fantasy football mindset. You have to put up gaudy numbers like Brees, Rodgers, and company. Funny, that. Rodgers is about the ONLY thing keeping Green Bay on the map. Green Bay WANTS to run, but the CAN’T. Well, not against us. They did OK vs the Bears. 109 ain’t great, but what did Rodgers do? A whopping 219. New England WANTS to run, and well, they did last week. If they can keep that up, Brady’s numbers won’t be so gaudy. But the team will be better for it. If Smith can consistently be around the 250 mark, and the run game gets around 175, this team will win the super bowl.
Forty Niners Forever 
You ever wonder how Frankenstein’s monster felt when the villagers chased him out of town with their pitchforks and torches?
I have to believe it was similar to how Alex Smith felt when the 49ers were just “evaluating” Peyton Manning this offseason. Alex got poked, prodded and singed all the way on a plane to Miami. But instead of dying in a fiery smoke-filled windmill, Alex came back on the plane. Instead, it was I, Dennis, who got hit in the head by the crossbeam and knocked senseless.
That’s not the way I wanted the story to end. I have a bone to pick with Mary Shelley.
If any of you are wondering or more to the point, giving a rat’s ass about my “Frankenstein” references, it’s because I’m currently watching the “Bride of Frankenstein” on MeTV. That is the one sequel that I can say unequivocally is better than the original. I know many like to put “Godfather II” and “The Empire Strikes Back” above their predecessors, but I can’t do it. Equal? Maybe so, but that’s as far as I’m willing to go.
You have any sequels that you think are better than the original?
I’d love to hear ’em and your reasoning why.
I have one that hasn’t even been made yet. It stars the 49ers and the QB who replaces Alex Smith. 😀
Aliens was better than Alien.
The Dark Knight was better than Batman Begins. Why? Heath Ledger as the Joker.
Can’t argue with either of those choices. What made “Aliens” so great (IMHO) was the transformation of the android character (Ash/Bishop) from “bad guy” to “good guy” in the films.
And it goes without saying about Heath Ledger’s performance. That was beyond reproach. Well deserved Best Supporting Actor Oscar.
“Why so serious?”
And I always think of this clip from “Aliens” when the 49er game ends. What am I gonna do now?
Yeah always have the negative guy on the team. Bill Paxton is a very underrated actor. Very decent in True Lies.
Still lots of football to be played this morning, but the Saints and G-Men are staring 0-2 in the fucking eye. If you recall, I had neither making the playoffs in my preseason predictions.
That and $3 will get me a 10 lb. bag of Jonny Cat litter for Frank.
Does Frank have a scratching post?
The new “refs” might like to call a penalty once in awhile. After the fight, they called offsetting penalties. Then the WRs and DBs starting fighting on every play, changing the game. Oh well. I went to a fight and saw a football game. Ravens 17 Eagles 14. I guess the NFL thought the game was boring. Maybe they’re right, but some players won’t last half the season.
What a catch by DeSean Jackson (from Cal!!) from Michael Vick doing what he’s supposed to do. Killing my Baltimore D.
Next play Ray Lewis, ball “magically goes to Ed Reed”. You guys will have to comment on the Niner game. I’ll watch. I’m bloody exhausted already.
Fricking Harbaugh football. LOLOL
“He’ll take hisin and beat yourin. Or he’ll take yourin and his hisin.” – Bum Phillips on Don Shula
“beat hisin”. LOL Chuck, what’s the difference, did you understand it?
“I’m assuming he threw his beanbag because he couldn’t find his flag.” I can’t wait for the Lions.
A 47 yarder to match his 56 yarder earlier. I’m assuming John is pissed at Jim.
Zona beats NE in one of the wierdest endings to a game.
Refs called roughing the passer when the replays showed PI so obvious it wasn’t funny. Flacco would’ve put the game away on that one. Now Vick is on the brink.
I’m not betting anything with these refs.
Giants in a nailbitter win over TB
Oh, after the commercials they decided it wasn’t the 2 minute warning after all. This is going to be a real joke if this keeps up. Now it’s the 2nd 4th quarter 2 minute warning.
Eli threw for 510 yds today. Why do teams still bother with the run?
Fucking Puppy Killer just put Philly up with under 2 mins to go.
If I were judge, jury and execution. I would have killed that worthless POS years ago with my own bare hands. I hope I see him in hell.
It aint over yet
Now it is
I’ve seen Pop Warner refs better than the guys in this game, Dennis.
Michael offered me my old QB two weeks ago but I refused. Peyton. It’s the principle of the thing.
Eli killed my Coyotes today. So did Andrew Luck.
Next up, the Coyotes RG III. Peyton tomorrow.