☹️ 🏀 HEPBURN GOES DOWN, BADGERS DREAM SEASON ENDS, AS CYCLONES FLATTEN BUCKY! — 54-49

By Paul Wickham Schmidt

Courtside Sports Special

March  20, 2022

The Wisconsin Badgers went down to a determined Iowa State Cyclones team in Milwaukee Sunday night in the second round of the NCAA Men’s Tournament. Freshman point guard Chucky Hepburn left the game with a bad ankle injury injury in the first half. 

After that, the Badgers looked totally discombobulated! They played hard, but the disorganized offense was totally inept, bricking shot after shot to kill any comeback chances. The Badgers were truly horrible on threes (2-22), and Iowa State’s smothering defense thwarted any semblance of a consistent inside game. That proved a deadly, season-ending combination for Bucky.

The 49 points was the Badgers’ lowest total of the season. They also committed a season-high 17 turnovers.

Big-10 Player of the Year sophomore Johnny Davis, in what likely was his final game in a Badger uniform, finished with a team-high 17 points on 4-16 shooting and 0-7 on threes. Frankly, he looked like a guy who needs another year of college competition before heading for NBA “prime time.” The rather thin Badger bench was truly horrible, save for senior center Chris Vogt.

The Badgers finish 26-8, far exceeding preseason expectations. But, their end of season slump, losing 3 of their last 4, plus the departure of their second leading scorer, “super senior” Brad Davison and the likely departure of Davis leave next season’s prospects in doubt.

Meanwhile, the Cyclones continued their own dream season by upping their record to 22-12 and moving on to the “Sweet 16” for the first time since 2015. Last year, they won only two games! Many congrats to Iowa State and their coach T.J. Otzelberger, a Wisconsin native. And good luck in the Sweet 16!

Meanwhile thanks to Coach Greg Gard and the Badgers for an exciting season! Also, many thanks to Brad Davison for six great years and Johnny Davis for a season of unexpected thrills.

🏀SPORTS/SOCIAL JUSTICE🗽 — He’s Won More Games Than Any Other, Including 5 NBA Championships, & Coached Some Of The All-Time Greats — But Some Of Gregg Popovich’s Greatest Achievements Go Beyond The Court — His Consistent Outspoken Advocacy For Social Justice & An End To Racism In America!

Etan Thomas
Etan Thomas
Etan Thomas played in the NBA from 2000 through 2011. He is a published poet, activist and motivational speaker
Gregg Popovich
Gregg Popovich
NBA Head Coach
San Antonio Spurs, 1996 ——

 

 

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/mar/12/gregg-popovich-legacy-ally-activism-injustice-racism?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Etan Thomas in The Guardian:

. . . .

In 2017, Popovich spoke at length at Spurs media day about systemic racism and politics, saying the country under Trump had become “an embarrassment to the world”: “Obviously, race is the elephant in the room and we all understand that. Unless it is talked about constantly, it’s not going to get better. Why do we have to talk about that?’ Well, because it’s uncomfortable. There has to be an uncomfortable element in the discourse for anything to change.

“The disgusting tenure and tone and all the comments … have been xenophobic, homophobic, racist, misogynistic. I live in a country where half the people ignored that to elect someone.”

Asked to reflect on the life of Dr Martin Luther King Jr and race relations in the country, part of Popovich’s answer focused on the country’s leadership.

“It seems like a lot of roll back in that regard, especially as we look at the race situation in our country. Everybody wants to forget about it but it should be there, front and center, constantly,” Popovich said.

“Race is still the unanswered dilemma that everyone continues to ignore. Dr. King did not ignore it, and it’s a big fear now that we have a group in power that is very willing to ignore it. It’s not just with their words, but their actions prove it, and that is scary.”

Now. Coach Popovich wasn’t the first and definitely won’t be the last in sports to verbally spank the former US president or call out the blatant and the prevailing racism and bigotry that is currently running rampant not only throughout the Republican Party but America as a whole, yet he’s certainly one of the most important and unique for a number of reasons:

1) Coach Popovich is a graduate of the Air Force Academy and works in a military town.

2) The aforementioned standard that he and the Spurs organization has set would appear to be in direct opposition to his public chastisement of the America.

3) Coach Popovich was making these statements in the ultra-red state of Texas, arguably the most conservative of the conservative states based on the state legislature and the congressional delegation, one that has voted Republican in 10 straight presidential elections and saw 52.6% of voters punch for Trump.

. . . .

Coach Popovich said that it’s up to white people to call out racism no matter what the consequences and didn’t even really receive any backlash for his comments, not even in an ultra-conservative place like Texas. And that’s what makes him unique and special. Yes, Popovich’s coaching milestone is historic and worthy of celebration, but his activism off the court will endure longer as the standard for all white people who truly want to be allies in this fight against racism and white supremacy.

*********************

Read the full article at the link.

Many congrats to Coach Popovich on his coaching milestone! He did it all with one team, the San Antonio Spurs, making him the longest-tenured Head Coach not only in the NBA but in contemporary American sports!

😎 Due Process Forever!

PWS

03-14-22

🏀⛹🏿BANK STAYED OPEN LATE FOR CHUCKY HEPBURN, AS BADGERS BEAT BOILERS 🚂 70-67 FOR SHARE OF B-10 TITLE!

Chucky Hepburn
Chucky Hepburn
Guard
Wisconsin Badgers
PHBOTO: Twitter

By Paul Wickham Schmidt

Courtside Sports Exclusive

March 2, 2022

Preseason “experts” predicted that the Wisconsin Badgers, returning only one starter (G, Brad Davison), would finish well down in the Big-10 — 10th place, or even 12th out of 14 squads. Last night, Coach Greg Gard’s gang proved the doubters wrong with a stirring, hard-fought 70-67 win over the #8 Purdue Boilermakers (24-6, 13-6)  before a capacity home crowd at the Kohl Center!

Wisconsin led for most of the game. But, behind stars Jadon Ivey (22-5-5) and Zach Edey (17-9-0), the Boilers went on a 14-2 run to take a one-point lead with 7:42 left. The Badgers rallied and appeared to have things in hand when Brad Davison (7-4-0) was fouled with 16 seconds to go and the Badgers up 67-64. Davison, the B-10’s best free-throw shooter (88.2%), had hit 25 in a row, and was in position to make it a two-score game.

Brad Davison
Brad Davison
Guard
Wisconsin Badgers
PHOTO: Twitter

 

But, shockingly, he missed the front-end of a one-and-one. Edey rebounded and when Ivey hit a tough 3-point shot to tie it at 67 with 11 seconds to go, overtime looked to be in the offing. But, freshman guard Hepburn (17-0-2, 0 turnovers) wasn’t having it. When his 3-pointer hit the glass and banked in with 1.5 to go, the game effectively was over. A last second desperation pass by Purdue was intercepted by forward Tyler Wahl (19-2-2) to seal the deal, as the crowd stormed the court and Gard prepared to cut down the net.

Johnny Davis
Johnny Davis
Guard-Forward
Wisconsin Badgers
PHOTO: Wikipedia

In addition to Hepburn’s heroics, likely B-10 player of the year Johnny Davis (16-8-1) was key in the second half, although he couldn’t match his previous 37-point performance against the Boilers. 

Wahl continues to be one of the most under-rated players in the conference if not in the country. He led the Badgers with 19 points, adding two rebounds, two assists, five steals, and two blocked shots. Again, he was consistently able to “post-up” the taller Edey and Purdue and made clutch shots in the paint. He plays like he’s 6-11, not 6-7. He’s also a great defender and perfectly ready to hit the floor to get after loose balls.

Tyler Wahl
Tyler Wahl
Forward
Wisconsin Badgers
PHOTO: Facebook

Wisconsin has now won 15 games in a row that were decided by 6 points or fewer. With a victory over Nebraska (9-21, 3-16) in Lincoln on Sunday, the #10 Badgers (24-5,15-4) will be the outright conference champs for the first time since 2015. While that might not seem like a difficult task, the last place Huskers are not necessarily an “easy out.” They have won their last two, including a 78-70 victory over #23 Ohio State last night.

Greg Gard
Greg Gard
Coach
Wisconsin Badgers
PHOTO: Twitter

No matter how it comes out, Gard should be the B-10 Coach of the Year for the job he has done with a team that everyone predicted was “bound for nowhere!” 

 

🏀 FIGHT CLUB: JUWAN HOWARD GOES DOWN FOR FIVE AFTER HIT ON BADGER ASST. COACH! — Apparently, Adult Behavior Not A Job Requirement For U. Mich. Athletics!

Juwan Howard
Juwan Howard
Michigan Head Men’s BB Coach
PHOTO: https://www.marc-gregor.com/Main
Creative Commons License
“Coach Howard is getting some time off to work on his ‘courtside manner.’”

By Paul Wickham Schmidt

Courtside Sports

Feb. 22, 2022

Michigan Head Basketball Coach Juwan Howard was suspended Monday for the balance of the regular season (five games) and fined $40,000 for delivering a bizarre “head slap” to Wisconsin Assistant Coach Joe Krabbenhoft following the conclusion of the Badgers dominating 77-63 victory over the Wolverines Sunday afternoon in Madison. The penalty was imposed by the Big-10 Conference. 

Wisconsin Coach Greg Gard was fined $10,000 by the Big-10 for an apparent “illegal touching” of Howard, while two Michigan players and Wisconsin reserve guard Jahcobi Neath were suspended for one game for throwing punches in the televised melee that followed Howard’s assault on Krabbenhoft.

Howard, a former star at Michigan and in the NBA, delivered a “rote apology” for his actions following the suspension. This was after lamely appearing to defend his conduct at the postgame press conference. 

Howard’s claim that he was outraged by a timeout call by Gard with 15 seconds left and that he felt “threatened” in the “handshake line” (which he initially tried to avoid) after being touched on the arm by the 52-year-old, full-head-shorter Gard, who has never “gone after” anyone, failed to pass the “straight face test,” although many members of the media and commentators appeared to accept it at face value. This is the second major “out of control” incident for Howard, who was ejected from a game last season after threatening then Maryland Head Coach Mark Turgeon.

Howard’s childish conduct gained instant national media coverage, overshadowing what should have been the real story: a near perfect second half coached by Gard and executed by his Badger squad. Led by breakout sophomore sensation guard Johnny Davis, who scored 11 straight at one point, the home team broke open a game that had been tied at the half. 

Davis finished with 25 points, 6 rebounds, an assist, and 3 blocked shots on defense. Perhaps, Howard’s frustration with being out-coached by Gard and his team seriously outplayed by Davis and his Badger mates was what really was behind the unusual and uncalled-for outburst.

Coach Gard’s Badgers have been one of the better stories in NCAA Men’s hoops. Unranked preseason and picked to finish in the “lower bracket” of the 14-team Big-10, Bucky is now 21-5, ranked 13th nationally, 12-4 conference, and tied with Illinois for second place, just one-half game behind Purdue for the league lead!  The Badgers beat the Boilermakers earlier on the road on a night featuring another dominating 37-point performance from Davis.

Davis has been the pleasantly unexpected difference. As a freshman “off the bench” last season, he averaged 7 points and 4 rebounds per game. His “high game” was 17 points. He was a solid, but hardly awe-inspiring, presence.

This season he averages more than 20 and leads the team in scoring, rebounds, and assists while playing tough defense. He is a serious contender for national player of the year. Davis gets lots of help from his friends: scrappy senior forward Brad Davison, highly skilled junior post forward Tyler Wahl, 7-foot inside-outside threat sophomore center Steven Crowl, and calm, cool, and collected freshman floor leader and point guard Chucky Hepburn. 

While many expect Davis to be off to the NBA after his breakout season, the Badger faithful are savoring every moment of his extraordinary play. He has developed a “step back, off balance, fade away” jump shot that is basically un-defendable, as the Wolverines learned on Sunday.

As for Howard, with the loss, his Wolverines find themselves in jeopardy of missing the “Big Dance,” with a lackluster 14-11 record (8-7, B10). Perhaps, that will give Howard a little more “time off” to work on his anger management and “role model” skills. They certainly need to improve, and fast, if he is to have a future in college coaching. Assistant Coach Phil Martelli, previously the long-time Head Coach at St. Joseph’s, will take the Wolverines’ helm during Howard’s suspension.

☹️🏈 THUD! — Cold, Snowy 13-10 Loss To 49ers Ends Pack’s Super Bowl Quest, Possibly Closing “Rodgers’ Era” In GB!

☹️🏈 THUD! — Cold, Snowy 13-10 Loss To 49ers Ends Pack’s Super Bowl Quest, Possibly Closing “Rodgers’ Era” In GB!

By Paul Wickham Schmidt

Courtside Exclusive

Jan. 23, 2022

The #1 seed Green Bay Packers (13-5) laid another playoff egg before stunned fans at frigid, snowy (0 degree wind chill) Lambeau Field Saturday night. The Pack lost to the underdog San Francisco 49ers (11-7) and their much maligned quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, 13-10 on a “walk off” 45 yard field goal by Robbie Gould, who remained perfect in playoffs. 

This deflating loss comes in a post-season where the Pack was one of the odds-on favorites to win the Super Bowl. It could be the “swan song” in green and gold for future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers and his sidekick, superstar wide receiver Devonte Adams.

The Packers got the opening kickoff and went on an impressive 69 yard drive, ending with running back A.J. Dillon plowing six yards into the end zone taking more than five minutes off the clock. Sadly, however, for Packer fans, their team was unable to repeat that success.

Basically, Rodgers and the offense took the rest of the night off, mustering only three more points on a field goal. Another field goal try was blocked at the end of the first half.

That left the Pack’s fate in the hands of a defense that was somewhat inconsistent over the regular season. This time, they showed up and almost pulled it off, holding Garopollo and his offense out of the end zone.

Unfortunately, however, the Green Bay “D” fell victim to the offense’s anemia, compounded by more chronically lousy special teams play, an Achilles heel for the team during the season. After the offense failed to move, deep in Packer territory, a blocked punt was scooped up by SF and run into the end zone for a then-tying touchdown.

On the ensuing possession, needing a sustained drive resulting in points to clinch a trip to the Conference finals for the second straight season, Rodgers and the “O” fired a blank — big time! Following a quick and inept three and out, consisting of poorly conceived plays without realistic probability of success, they punted the ball back to the 9ers, thus giving them a shot at winning a game in which they had never led.

Everybody in the stadium knew that SF was likely to lean primarily on its running game, rather than put the game solely in Garopollo’s hands, particularly since he had already thrown one ridiculously bad interception to kill a drive in the red zone.

This time, the worn-down Packer defense could not get the 49ers off the field. The killer came on third and seven on the Green Bay 38, about a minute left in the game, and the Pack out of time outs. SF faced a possible dilemma. If the Pack could hold them to no gain, Gould would have had to attempt a 55 yard field goal in the freezing cold and swirling snow. A miss would have given Rodgers the ball near midfield with about half a minute on the clock. Even a make would have given Rodgers two or three plays after the kickoff to get into field goal position.

But, that moment of truth never came. The Packers let SF all-purpose star Deebo Samuel run for nine yards and a first down at the GB 29. The 49ers then ran the clock down and called on the reliable Gould for the 45 yard game-winner as time expired and the Lambeau faithful looked on in shock.

So, despite a league-best 39 wins over Coach Matt LaFleur’s first three seasons, most in Packer history, the Pack again find themselves as Super Bowl spectators for the 11th consecutive year since winning it all in 2011.

It’s also quite likely the end of the road for the Pack and Rodgers, who almost refused to play this season. And, if Rodgers goes, his friend and All-Pro wide receiver Davonte Adams, who will be a free agent, is likely going with him. 

If AR does reach his second Super Bowl, it will probably be in a different uniform. Tennessee, Indianapolis, and Cleveland seem like logical possibilities. All have strong running games and basically are “a quarterback away” from championship contention. 

Another intriguing possibility is the Washington Football Team. Rodgers, Adams, paired with existing receiver Terry McLaurin, healthy tight end Logan Thomas, and a revived defense with Chase Young back would be a formidable combination.

The Pack is likely to go into “modified rebuild mode” behind quarterback Jordan Love who will be entering his third season. Love seems like a nice young man with some arm strength. But, frankly, I don’t see him making fans forget Rodgers or getting very deep into the playoffs.

Case in point, Rodgers threw 531 passes this year with 4 interceptions and 0 lost fumbles. Love threw 62 passes with 3 interceptions and 1 fumble lost.

Indeed, Packer fans might well find themselves spared the suspense and disappointment of season-ending playoff losses for some years to come in the “Post-Rodgers Era.” I’m among those “die-hards” to remember the very gloomy quarter-century hiatus between the “glory days” of Lombardi and Starr and the arrival of Holmgren and Farve and a long-awaited return to relevance for the NFL’s oldest franchise.

Perhaps, the strongest factor favoring the Packers’ future playoff chances is that they play in the NFC North. Their divisional competition, Chicago, Minnesota, and Detroit are among the most inept franchises in football these days, with all of one Super Bowl victory among them (Chicago — 1986 ) in the “modern age” of the NFL.

With the Packers off the field until next fall, the “action” is likely to shift to the “off-season drama” between Rodgers and the Green Bay front office.

“Who is Aaron Rodgers?” Maybe, the “answer” will be: “Former Packer quarterback who was both a contestant and a guest host of Jeopardy.”

🏈COURTSIDE SPORTS: PACK REBOUNDS FROM HORRENDOUS SEASON START TO WIN NFC NORTH, ADVANCE TO PLAYOFFS! 

Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers

Behind Aaron Rodgers and a defense that bent but came up big in the end, the Green Bay Packers (11-3) won a 31-30 “nail-biter” on the road against the undermanned Baltimore Ravens. In control and up by 14 in the fourth quarter, the Pack almost let this one get away with sloppy defense, chronically bad special teams play, and an inopportune offensive stall!

The determined Ravens (8-6) played without superstar QB Lamar Jackson. But, his “stand in” QB Tyler Huntley almost pulled off the upset. Following a TD with 45 seconds left to pull the home team to 31-30, Ravens’ coach John Harbaugh chose to go for the two-point conversion that might have won the game. But, the play was poorly designed and Huntley’s pass was broken up by the Pack’s Darnell Savage to largely seal the win. The following onside kick failed, probably the highlight of the Pack’s beleaguered special team’s play over the past few weeks.

The good news: the Pack’s win kept them in the #1 position in the NFC for a first round bye and home field advantage during the playoffs. That’s no small achievement following the opening game debacle against New Orleans and all the Rodgers-generated distractions (including his disgraceful failure to get the COVID vaccine). The Pack also played turnover-free football, as did the Ravens,

The cautionary note: This game was closer than it should have been. The Pack let an obviously short-handed and therefore significantly less talented Ravens team “hang around” and almost steal a “W.” On paper, this game should have been a blowout, but wasn’t.

Surprisingly well as Huntley played in relief of Jackson, the Pack will face much, much better QBs in the playoffs. And, given a “gift possession” inside the Ravens’ 40 in the 4th quarter, the Pack failed to score the TD that would have put the game away, instead settling for a field goal after AR missed a pass that should have sealed the game. That nearly proved fatal.

A team hoping for a Super Bowl birth will have to do better!

 

PWS

12-19-21

 

🏐👍🏼😎🏆 SPORTS: CONGRATS TO BADGER WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL TEAM ON 1ST NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP! — 3RD TIME’S THE CHARM 🍀 AS TOUGH TEAM WINS THRILLER!

Ferocious Badger
Ferocious Lady Badgers hold off Cornhuskers for first National Championship in volleyball!

After a shaky start, the Lady Badgers (31-3)  showed their prowess by beating fellow B10 rival Nebraska Cornhuskers to bring the national title to Madison for the first time! Congrats  champs, you are an inspiration to all of us!

Here’s the complete report from Jim Polzin @ the Wisconsin State Journal!

https://madison.com/wsj/sports/college/volleyball/jim-polzin-with-power-finesse-and-resiliency-wisconsin-volleyball-earns-elusive-title/article_971310db-b9c2-51c8-b3a4-ee670e7d9482.html

*************

Badgers turning out leaders of the future!

Bucky Badger
Ms. Bucky Badger is happy!

 

PWS

12-19-21

⚖️🗽🇺🇸COURTS & JUSTICE: “COURTSIDE” PROUDLY ANNOUNCES THE “DREAM BIA” — IT’S OUT THERE, EVEN IF GARLAND CAN’T SEE IT!

Start with current BIA judge:

  • Judge Andrea Saenz

Add these “extraordinary practical scholars” who happen to be the “seven most-cited immigration scholars under 50” (https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/immigration/2021/12/immprofs-make-most-cited-faculty-under-50-list.html):

  • Amanda Frost (American)
  • Jennifer Chacón (Berkeley)
  • Ilya Somin (George Mason)
  • Adam Cox (NYU)
  • César Cuauhtémoc García Hernández (Ohio State)
  • Michael Kagan (UNLV)
  • Cristina Rodriguez (Yale)

Appoint these inspirational, dynamic, proven “scholar leaders” as Co-Chairs:

  • Dean Kevin Johnson, UC Davis Law & “most cited” immigration scholar;
  • Marielena Hincapie, National Immigration Law Center.

Add in three experienced Vice Chairs who really “know the business” (including where all the bodies are buried @ EOIR and how to make bureaucracy respond):

  • Judge Noel Brennan, NY Immigration Court, former BIA Appellate Judge;
  • Judge Dana Leigh Marks, San Francisco Immigration Court, former NAIJ President, “winning” attorney before the Supremes in the landmark asylum case INS v. Cardoza-Fonseca;
  • Michelle Mendez, currently Director, Defending Vulnerable Populations @ Catholic Legal Immigration Network (“CLINIC”).

Wild Card Round: 

  • Jason Dzubow, Esquire, “everyone’s favorite Asylumist;”
  • Lauren Wyatt, CLINIC, NYC, inspirational scholar-role model working “in the trenches;”
  • Ayodele Gansallo, HIAS Pennsylvania, Penn Law, co-author of Understanding Immigration Law and Practice, the “Bible of aspiring practical scholar-practitioners;”
  • Jaya Ramji-Nogales, Associate Dean, Temple Law, co-author of Refugee Roulette and The End of Asylum.

********************

Now, THAT’S an amazing, inspiring, dynamic “all-star judicial lineup” that could actually achieve the former “EOIR Vision” of: “Through teamwork and innovation, become the world’s best administrative tribunal, guaranteeing fairness and due process for all!”

What does this diverse group have in common?

  • Demonstrated, unswerving, overriding commitment to due process and fundamental fairness for migrants and all persons in America;
  • Impeccable, accessible scholarship in human rights, migrants’ rights, and constitutional interpretation;
  • Courage to speak truth to power;
  • Expertise in and concern for ethical issues;
  • Ability to engage in robust dialogue without sacrificing fundamental principles;
  • Ability to lead by example and inspire others;
  • Practicality;
  • Creativity;
  • Humanity;
  • Independence;
  • Widespread recognition, respect, and admiration among peers.

This court also would have the potential to deliver a long-overdue “wake up call” to the now-floundering Article III Judiciary.

Why would members of this high-powered group of intellectual giants be willing to leave comfortable current positions to accept the challenge of leading and reforming what currently is “America’s Worst Court System?”

  • A chance to be on a team of some of the most powerful “practical legal intellects” in America;
  • A chance to show how a diverse court of exceptionally-well-qualified judges can solve problems, implement best practices, and achieve timeliness and efficiency while enhancing due process;
  • The chance to save lives and improve futures — to make a positive difference in the world that will inspire future generations;
  • The chance to redefine “justice in America” in a positive way.

The BIA also has a large, talented staff of lawyers (I was one myself, back in the day) who would thrive and prosper under the intellectual leadership of these “practical scholars” and proven teachers! The BIA is potentially the “premier legal university/think tank” in America. But, unlike most think tanks, one with a mission, the ability to render best interpretations, implement best practices, and to issue hundreds of life-defining decisions every day! What other court in America could say the same? Why is this amazing untapped potential basically going to waste?

A pipe dream? Probably. But it shouldn’t be!

Deion Sanders
The BIA is “Not Quite Ready For Prime Time” (“NQRFPT”). But, “Neon Deion” Sanders IS “Prime Time.” Judge G. should take note!                                                                                                         Deion Sanders
Photo by Michael J. Cargill
Creative Commons License

Just look how in a relatively short time as a head coach at a “non-power-conference” HBCU, Jackson State, dynamic former NFL star and “larger than life” personality “Neon Deion” Sanders has shaken up the system and changed the “playing field” in the insular world of “big time college football.” This week, the “projected top recruit” in America chose Sanders & J-State over the “powers that be.” Presence, leadership, boldness, talent, and results (Jackson State was 11-1 this year) can force change for the better in even the most inbred and change-resistant systems (like EOIR, and to a large extent, the entire Federal Judiciary)!

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiG4L7J0O30AhUEhXIEHXpZC_gQFnoECFEQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.si.com%2Fcollege%2Fhbcu%2Ffootball%2Fdeion-sanders-jackson-state-out-recruited-power-5-worried&usg=AOvVaw22WpbS0LFQ02rTG_rNcRLL

It’s totally within Judge Garland’s power, if he would only wake up and make the bold, yet totally logical, justified, and long overdue moves necessary. He’s already sinking deep into the morass of responsibility for probably the most dysfunctional, yet consequential, failed “court” system in American legal history. What’s he got to lose by taking the steps necessary to dramatically turn things around?

As I recently wrote about EOIR:

With so many extraordinarily talented, creative, courageous, independent legal minds out there in the private/NGO/academic sector of human rights/immigration/racial justice/due process this “intentional mediocrity (or worse)” is inexcusable. Yet, this massive failure of the U.S. justice system at the most basic level gets scant attention outside of Courtside, LexisNexis, ImmigrationProf Blog, Jeffrey S. Chase Blog, The Asylumist, and a few other specialized websites. 

https://immigrationcourtside.com/2021/12/15/🏴%E2%80%8D☠%EF%B8%8F👎🏽🤮-aimless-docket-reshuffling-adr-on-steroids-eoir-dysfunction-shows-what-happens-when/

Recent GOP Administrations have been perfectly willing to unethically “weaponize” EOIR to carry out their far-right, nativist political agenda. They have “shrugged off” near-universal criticism of their most outrageous moves, including key quasi-judicial selections, and, inexcusably, “dumbed down” EOIR. 

Democrats, by contrast, have been timid, indolent, and feckless, failing to undo the damage and make due process, fundamental fairness, and equal justice for all persons a reality rather than a cruel false promise. Garland appears bullheadedly determined to move in the same wrong direction.  

And, “time’s a wasting!” We’re nearly a year into an Administration that promised real improvements but has basically carried out a disgraceful “Miller Lite,” anti-humanitarian, anti-constitutional agenda of abusing, mistreating, and dehumanizing legal asylum seekers and other migrants. As pointed out recently by a number of us, this also extends to the dedicated attorneys and representatives trying to preserve at least some semblance of justice in our stunningly dysfunctional Immigration Courts. 

https://immigrationcourtside.com/2021/12/15/%f0%9f%8f%b4%e2%80%8d%e2%98%a0%ef%b8%8f%f0%9f%91%8e%f0%9f%8f%bd%f0%9f%a4%ae-aimless-docket-reshuffling-adr-on-steroids-eoir-dysfunction-shows-what-happens-when/

https://immigrationcourtside.com/2021/12/16/%f0%9f%a4%a1%f0%9f%93%ba-must-see-tv-for-attorney-general-merrick-garland-his-senior-staff-youtube-proudly-presents-immigration-court-may-i-help-you/

As if to prove his tone-deafness, imperviousness to meaningful change at EOIR, and utter disdain for those advocates and “practical scholars” who helped him get his job, after one “better-balanced selection list,” Garland’s latest 22 Immigration Judge appointments reverted to the usual array of government and prosecutorial background appointments to the near-total exclusion of private/NGO/academic sector superstars who have the potential to materially change the trajectory of today’s dysfunctional Immigration Courts. Check this out! How many names do YOU recognize as among the “leading lights” of human rights and immigration scholarship and advocacy? How is this going to help advance due process, promote fundamental fairness, reduce the backlog, develop best practices, and reverse the endemic dysfunction at EOIR? 

https://www.lexisnexis.com/legalnewsroom/immigration/b/insidenews/posts/eoir-announces-22-new-immigration-judges

Compare and contrast this list with the ”Dream BIA” described above. The private sector talent pool to improve judging and justice at EOIR is really deep. But, Garland stubbornly refuses to “take the plunge” even as what’s left of our immigrant justice system disintegrates around him! 

As Neon Deion could tell Judge G., “getting the best when you’re not yet the best” often involves working extra hard hard to actively change perceptions and aggressively recruit the “star talent.” Just sitting back to see who might apply or sign up doesn’t work any better at EOIR than it does in “non-power-five” college football. 

This should be a perhaps never to be repeated chance to “model” a better Federal Judiciary. Almost overnight, Immigration Courts could go from being a “sad but true YouTube comedy routine” to an inspiring model for a better-functioning and more just Federal Judiciary. 

But, not with the current personnel in place! Not with the opaque inbred selection process Garland currently uses (getting some outside Government expert input into judicial selections would be a “no-brainer” starting place). Garland is letting it slip through his fingers, but migrants and the rest of us are going to pay the price!

The “new generation” of our legal profession should be both outraged and existentially motivated to stand up to Garland’s intransigence! It’s not just migrants’ lives that are at stake here (as if that weren’t enough, in and of itself)! It’s the future of the U.S. Justice system, our legal profession, and liberal democracy that are swirling down the drain as Garland watches from his ivory tower refuge!

My time on the stage is winding down. But, for a new generation of legal professionals, it’s just starting. YOU and yours are going to have to live with the broken justice system and inferior judging that Garland is countenancing. Demand better, or prepare to live with the ugly consequences of a failed judiciary!

🇺🇸Due Process Forever!

PWS

12-18-21

🏈SPORTS: EXPOSED! — Badgers End B-10 Season With Inept Effort @ MN!  — No Offense, Little D, Lead To Embarrassing Loss — Wisconsin Avoids Michigan Re-Match!

Sad Badger
Sad Badger
PHOTO: Facebook

🏈SPORTS: EXPOSED!— Badgers End B-10 Season With Inept Effort @ MN!  — No Offense, Little D, Lead To Embarrassing Loss, Avoids Facing Michigan In Big-10 Title Game!

By Paul Wickham Schmidt

Courtside Exclusive

November 28, 2021

When the Wisconsin Badgers took the field in Minneapolis on Saturday, afternoon they knew they were one win over the then 7-4 Gophers away from a rematch with the Michigan Wolverines in the Big Ten Title Game next Saturday. For the next 60 minutes, the Badgers looked every bit like a team that wanted to avoid that potential matchup. (Michigan beat the Badgers 38-21 at Camp Randall in October). In the process, the Badgers also lost “Paul Bunyun’s Axe” for the second time in the past four years while being subjected to the Gopher fans’ imitation of Wisconsin’s “patented jump around.” 

Wisconsin was soundly beaten on both sides of the ball by a modestly talented, yet better coached and clearly more motivated, Gopher team. The Badgers failed to score an offensive touchdown. Their sole trip to the end zone came in the first half on a lucky tipped “pick six” by Scott Nelson.

For the second straight week, Coach Jim Leonhard’s “shut down” Badger defense couldn’t get a “less than awesome” offense off the field, particularly yesterday when it counted. The Gophers controlled the tempo of the game from opening kickoff to final whistle.

Perhaps the “best” illustrations of Badger futility came early in the second half. Ahead 10-6 despite a lackluster first half, the Badgers received the second half kickoff with a chance to “make a statement.” They did! But, not the kind they wanted.

Deep in his own territory, Badger QB Graham Mertz lofted a weak pass to 6th year receiver Kendrick Pryor, who made only a half-hearted effort to catch it. Instead the Gopher defender took the ball away, setting up a short field. Three plays later, the Gophers trotted into the end zone to take a 13-10 lead as a bewildered Badger “D” passively looked on. 

On the following possession the Badgers drove methodically inside the Minnesota 10. With second and two from the Gopher five, three downs to make 2 yards, and a then a potential four downs to score, the Badgers appeared destined to retake the lead. Instead, they were forced to settle for a tying field goal that proved to be their last score.

The Golden Gophers then scored the final 10 points and held the Badgers at bay to notch the 23-13 victory. Badger freshman “sensation” running back Braelon Allen was a non-factor. The Badger “O Line’s” inability to open holes was matched by Allen’s failure to break tackles. The few attempts to hit Allen ‘in space” ended with him being stoned by Gopher defenders.

Badger senior tight end Jake Ferguson was another non-factor. Big Ten defensive coordinators have finally figured out how to defend him, particularly in the “red zone.” By contrast, Badger Coach Paul Chryst doesn’t seem to have developed an alternative.

Mertz is a good athlete, but at best an average “pocket passer.” Why not roll him out to create a run option when the receivers are covered? At least force the opposing D to make some difficult choices!

So, instead of a trip to the Big Ten Title Game in Indianapolis next week, the Badgers (8-4, 5-3) “earned” another trip to a “Podunk City Piddly Bowl” against a failed team from a different conference. The “B-Team” announcers sentenced to that (non) “classic,” will be required to shill about the wonders of the Badger defense, the prowess of Allen, and the brilliance of Head Coach Paul Chryst and Defensive Coordinator Jim Leonhard.

But, that won’t hide the truth about a mediocre team that once again underperformed preseason expectations.

GAME DAY IN GREEN BAY — NOV. 14, 2021


Packers 17, Seattle Seahawks 0

 

PWS

11-15-21

🏈COURTSIDE SPORTS — THE AARON RODGERS SELF-CREATED DEBACLE: Taking One For The “I in Team!”

Jerry Brewer @ WashPost:

 https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/11/05/aaron-rodgers-vaccines-ivermectin-ego/

By Jerry Brewer

November 5 at 6:30 PM ET

You can trust Aaron Rodgers only to do what’s good for Aaron Rodgers. On a football field, his independence can be tolerated, and often preferred, because few quarterbacks have ever played the game as divinely as he can. For 17 seasons, the Green Bay Packers have benefited from Rodgers doing things his way because his way keeps them at a level hard to maintain in the parity-driven NFL.

This does not make him trustworthy, however. The Packers can trust his talent and stretch the definition of team to accommodate a player so stubborn and extraordinary. But they cannot trust him, not on matters that require deference or social responsibility or faith in anything other than his big ol’ ego.

No one can trust Rodgers to be more than what we have allowed him to become: a superstar in love with himself. Greatness has long been his shield. Now, as he uses it to plow through the saddest controversy of his career, it should be clear why Green Bay is wary of riding on his back for much longer.

[Aaron Rodgers lashes out against NFL, ‘woke mob’ in defense of vaccination status]

Rodgers — sometimes charming, often patronizing, always selfish — has caved to expectation for a change. On Friday, he provided what many had demanded all week after he was exposed for misleading the public about his coronavirus vaccination status: an explanation.

He should have kept his mouth shut.

“I realize I’m in the crosshairs of the woke mob right now,” Rodgers said during his regular appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.” “So before my final nail gets put in my cancel culture casket, I think I would like to set the record straight on so many of the blatant lies that are out there about myself.”

When a preamble uses “woke mob” and “cancel culture” as a throat-clearing exercise, buckle up.

Rodgers proceeded to paint himself as a victim. Instead of limiting his argument to a legitimate concern — he said he could not take either the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine because he is allergic to an ingredient in them and also shared concerns that many have about the Johnson & Johnson shot — Rodgers drifted into conspiracy theories and tired, facile anti-vaccine opinions.

[Sally Jenkins: Aaron Rodgers is entitled to stay unvaccinated. He is not entitled to lie about it.]

“I go back to these two questions for the woke mob,” Rodgers said. “If the vaccine is so great, how come people are still getting covid and spreading covid and unfortunately dying from covid? If the vax is safe, how come the manufacturers of the vaccine have full immunity?”

His comments included a revelation that he had taken ivermectin, an anti-parasitic widely used in large animals and dismissed as an ineffective covid-19 treatment by the Food and Drug Administration. So the former guest host of “Jeopardy!” is now mangling facts.

. . . .

In a pandemic that has killed more than 750,000 Americans, Rodgers is unwilling to abandon his recalcitrance and think about the team. He didn’t care enough about the Packers to follow the NFL protocols for unvaccinated personnel because he didn’t believe in them. He doesn’t care enough about everyone else to trust facts because he doesn’t agree with them.

. . . .

*********************

Read the complete article at the link.

Rodgers had largely redeemed himself from an embarrassingly bad opening performance in a loss to the Saints by helping lead the Pack to seven straight victories. Now, his leadership, integrity, and reputation are in tatters, probably irredeemably. 

Without Rodgers, the Pack lost a potentially winnable game to the KC Chiefs on Sunday afternoon behind rookie QB Jordan Love, who frankly didn’t look ready to replace a three-time MVP. 

Sure, it’s only one game, and the start was on short notice. But, performing at a reasonably high level on short notice is what being an NFL backup is all about. That’s particularly true for someone who is the “designated heir apparent.” I would have expected more from Love, even under difficult circumstances.

Some have opined that Love’s lackluster performance gives Rodgers more “leverage” in his relationship with the Packers. Assuming he recovers from COVID and isn’t suspended as a result of a league investigations into the incident, Rodgers is likely to be back on the field soon and might well get his team in the the post-season again.

But, his leadership and integrity will probably never recover from his gutless, selfish, and inexcusable self-victimization, as well as spreading of lies and conspiracy theories (not surprisingly, Prevea Health abruptly severed its relationship with “Mr. Ivermecton.”) 

For better or worse, the public, particularly young athletes, do listen to what superstars like AR say. In no way is getting vaccinated against COVID “just about one’s personal choices.” No, it’s about building trust, setting good examples, social responsibility and creating a safer society for everyone. On those counts, the “sure-fire Hall of Famer” has forever established himself as a “Hall of Shamer.”  

PWS

11-08-21

🏈 COURTSIDE SPORTS: AFTER UGLY START, AR & PACK ROLL TO 7-1 MIDSEASON MARK WITH 24-21 ROAD WIN OVER PREVIOUSLY UNDEFEATED ARIZONA CARDINALS!

Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers

🏈 COURTSIDE SPORTS: AFTER UGLY START, AR & PACK ROLL TO 7-1 MIDSEASON MARK WITH 24-21 ROAD WIN OVER PREVIOUSLY UNDEFEATED ARIZONA CARDINALS!

Courtside Exclusive

By Paul Wickham Schmidt

Oct. 28, 2021

Missing three top receivers and their Defensive Coordinator, the Pack and Aaron Rodgers gutted out a 24-21 nail-biter over Kyler Murray and the previously undefeated Cardinals in the Arizona desert Thursday night. The much improved Packer defense did a decent job against the talented and elusive Murray. Meanwhile, in the absence of a dynamic passing game, Pack backs Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon ground out 137 yards and “ate lots of clock” behind a rugged offensive line.

The Pack looked to be on the verge of putting the game away late in the fourth quarter when Aaron Jones apparently scored from one yard out to give the Pack a 30-21 lead. But, the TD was reversed on video replay and the ball placed one inch from the goal line. The Pack then totally flubbed three straight plays, including a delay of game, and came away empty when a weak fourth down Rodgers’ pass was batted down.

Murray then proceeded to lead his team on a 94 yard drive and seemed poised to cap it with a game winning touchdown, or at least a field goal to send the game into overtime. However, with only a few seconds left, Murray’s errant pass was picked off in the end zone by former Cardinal Rasul Douglas to save the Packer win. It was the third turnover for Arizona, each having a major impact on the game.

Next, the Pack will visit the 3-4 Kansas City Chiefs in what some have dubbed the “State Farm Bowl,” for the first time pitting insurance pitchmen, buddies, former Super Bowl winners, and previous league MVPs Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes against each other!

PWS

10-28-21

👎🏽GARLAND’S BIA BLOWS ANOTHER: “Divide and conquer is a good military strategy but a bad judicial one. Judges must consider how related facts weave together into a narrative,” Says 3rd Circuit In Cha Lang v. Att’y Gen.

 

https://www2.ca3.uscourts.gov/opinarch/203353p.pdf

Key quote from opinion by Circuit Judge Bibas:

Divide and conquer is a good military strategy but a bad judicial one. Judges must consider how related facts weave to- gether into a narrative.

Chinese officials caught Cha Liang practicing his faith, so they beat, jailed, and then threatened him. When he sought asy- lum, the Board of Immigration Appeals minimized the threats and physical abuse as discrete incidents. But Liang’s twenty- minute beating and fifteen days in jail made the later threats more menacing. Because the Board should not have ignored this context, we will grant the petition and remand.

******************

  • Perhaps unwittingly, Judge Bibas’s use of a military analogy for EOIR “judging” is very, very apt! After four years of corrupt, White Nationalist, Stephen Miller inspired “leadership” and “judicial selections,” far, far too many judges and others at today’s EOIR view immigrants and their attorneys as “the enemy.” By contrast, they think of their “partners” at DHS as their “comrades in arms” against Stephen Miller’s fabricated “alien invasion” — a euphemism for “replacement theory” and other racist tropes that were seldom far below the surface of Trump-era immigration policies and actions.
  • It’s tempting to blame this entire mess on theTrump regime. But, sadly, manifestations of this problem were present well before 2017.
  • I remember an Immigration Judge Conference where, strangely, a recently appointed IJ, a former government prosecutor, was given an “instructor slot” at small group training. This Judge proceeded to repeatedly refer to the the DHS as “we” and the respondents and their lawyers as “them” as he enthusiastically described Government litigation “victories” while ignoring or downplaying Circuit Court decisions that had found serious flaws in EOIR judging and DHS legal positions.
  • That individual went on to a “judicial career” at EOIR that consistently demonstrated a disturbing and inappropriate inability to view those humans coming before the Immigration Court and their lawyers as anything other than “the enemy!”  So, the ethical, cultural, and quality control problems at EOIR are very deep-seated.
  • Remember, this is a broken agency that once, but no more, was supposed to stand for “through teamwork and innovation, become the world’s best administrative tribunals guaranteeing fairness and due process for all.”
  • As the recent “John Gruden Episode” in the NFL shows, “corrosive culture” remains a huge problem in professional football. Similarly, EOIR’s “culture of denial with a heavily dose of racism, misogyny, and xenophobia” remains every bit as much of a problem as those plaguing the NFL. Disingenuously “minimizing threats” to asylum seekers, as in this case, is “business as usual” at Garland’s anti-immigrant, anti-asylum EOIR. 
  • While the response of the NFL’s leadership has obviously been not fully effective, it’s still much better than Garland’s “what me worry, hear nothing, see nothing” approach to the crippling problems at his dysfunctional EOIR.

    Alfred E. Neumann
    Garland’s inept approach to the ongoing due process disaster at his EOIR has been perplexing, to say the least!
    PHOTO: Wikipedia Commons
  • Gruden actually was promptly forced out when the full extent of his misconduct finally surfaced. By contrast, with overwhelming public evidence of systemic failure, Garland has catastrophically failed to replace the problematic judges and inept senior leaders at EOIR with better-qualified, progressive, practical scholar-expert judges unswervingly committed to due process, fundamental fairness, and equal justice!
  • Although not cited by the 3rd Circuit, the BIA and the IJ also ignored the leading BIA precedent of Matter of O-Z- & I-Z-, 22 I&N Dec. 23 (BIA 1998) (Panel: Hurwitz, Rosenberg, Schmidt) on the importance of considering harm cumulatively.
  • The concurring opinion by Judges Jordan and Ambro on past persecution as a “mixed question of fact and law” subject to a “two-step review process” is also well worth a read, particularly for those practicing in the 3rd Cir.

 

🇺🇸Due Process Forever!

PWS

10-13-21

🏈😎 JOY RETURNS TO GREEN BAY — AR Throws Four TDS & Aaron Jones Scores Four Times As Pack Romps Over Lions 35-17 On Monday Night Football @ Lambeau!

🏈😎 JOY RETURNS TO GREEN BAY — AR Throws Four TDS & Aaron Jones Scores Four Times As Pack Romps Over Lions 35-17 On Monday Night Football @ Lambeau!

Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers

By Paul Wickham Schmidt

Courtside Sports Exclusive

September 21, 2021

Green Bay, WI.  Aaron Rodgers and the Pack chased the memories of last week’s 38-3 prime time debacle against the Saints with a convincing 35-17 win over the Detroit Lions in their home opener at rainy Lambeau Field Monday night. Rodgers threw four TD passes, three of them to running back Aaron Jones and another on a dart to tight end Robert “Bobby” Tonyan. Jones, playing in memory of his father who died of COVID, added a rushing TD to his three scoring receptions.

Some of the Packer faithful among the 77,240 who packed Lambeau for the home opener had been engaged in “pregame warm-ups” on their tailgates since the morning. For the first half, they feared at least a partial repeat of last Sunday’s disaster in Jacksonville.

While the Packer offense finally woke up with their first TD drives of the season, the defense did little to stop the Lions offense behind “LA Rams refugee/transplant” Jared Goff. The visitors scored on their initial drive, and took a 17-14 lead into halftime, much to the shock of the announcers and most of the crowd. 

The Lions’ attack featured former Packer all purpose running back and Green Bay fan favorite Jamaal Williams, although he was held to 37 total yards. Former Wisconsin Badger standout receiver Quentez Cepheus had 63 yards receiving for Detroit, including a TD and a 46 yard reception.

The second half, played largely in the rain and drizzle, was a completely different story. Rodgers and the Pack scored after taking the kickoff to assume the lead and were in charge thereafter. Green Bay shut out the Lions in the second half while scoring three touchdowns en route to their first win of the season, 35-17.

The Lions dropped to 0-2. The Pack evened their record at 1-1, moving into a tie with the Chicago Bears for first place in the NFC North. Next, the Pack travels to San Francisco for a Sunday Night Football date with the 2-0 49ers.

At least for now, things are back to a more even keel here in Green Bay!

PWS

09-21-21

🦨🤮STINKER IN THE SUN — SANS ATTACK & DEFENSELESS, PACK IS NOT BACK, AS A.R. & FRIENDS FTA FOR OPENER👎🏽 — Winston, Saints Romp 38-3! 

Aaron Rodgers 2021
“New look” Aaron Rodgers appears to have head somewhere other than football field! Is he looking to become Willie Nelson?
PHOTO: USA Today

🦨🤮STINKER IN THE SUN — SANS ATTACK & DEFENSELESS, PACK IS NOT BACK, AS A.R. & FRIENDS FTA FOR OPENER👎🏽 — Winston, Saints Romp 38-3!

By Paul Wickham Schmidt

Courtside Sports Exclusive

September 13, 2010

Reigning NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers vs the Brees-less New Orleans Saints was supposed to be one of the prime-time “marquee matchups” of a generally exciting NFL opening slate. Someone forgot to tell A.R., sporting a new look — “retro-70’s” beard, scraggly hairdo, and head scarf — and his buddies in green and gold that there was a game on.

After a tumultuous off-season, featuring threats to sit out the 2021 campaign, Rodgers looked every bit like a guy who would rather be: 1) chatting with Erin Andrews, 2) strumming a six string for State Farm, 3) hosting Jeopardy, 4) chilling on the beach with latest gal pal Shailene Woodley, or 5) doing almost anything else not involving a football. After throwing only five interceptions last season, he threw two key interceptions, one in the red zone the other setting up a Saints’ score. His miserable 36.3 QB rating probably was generous.

The rest of his buddies from the NFC North followed AR’s lead, acting as though they were on vacation in Jacksonville, where the Saints’ “home game” was played because of hurricane damage in New Orleans. The receivers got no separation. The line didn’t block. The runners couldn’t run. The defense let the Saints have their way, en route to 322 total yards total offense. 

The only reason  the Saints didn’t pile up even more yards was because they were efficient on offense and defense and didn’t have to. But, on Sunday, this looked like a Packer “D” that could have 600 yards laid on them. Easily!

The Pack coaching staff, including new defensive “wizard” Joe Barry, looked like shell-shocked zombies. And, the “strategy” of resting all all the starters for the entire preseason played out every bit as dumb and ill-advised as it appeared to many pundits.

Lest anyone think that “relief is on the horizon,” the Pack’s “QB of the future,” Jordan Love looked like a “permanent work in progress” as he completed five of seven passes, but fumbled in the red zone in his unimpressive NFL debut against the Saint’s “mop-up defense.” The only “bright spot” for the “visitors” was the tens of thousands of loyal “Packer-backers” in the  stands who waited in vain for their guys to show up. 

By contrast, Drew Brees’s replacement, Jameis Winston, a “refugee from Tampa Bay” who hadn’t started a game in more than a year looked worthy of being “the successor” in New Orleans. He was 14-20-148-0  with an astounding five TD passes against the hapless Pack secondary (thought be one of their “strengths” going into the season) and earning a Brees-like QB rating of 136. In a flip with the usually reliable Rodgers, Winston threw “smart passes” and avoided interceptions — the “Achilles heel” that ended his tenure with the Bucs.

The final score of 38-3 wasn’t indicative of how one-sided this game really was. Sure, it’s only one game.  But, beyond “they couldn’t play any worse,” I didn’t see a lot to build on here! This team bore no resemblance to the group that was basically one play away from a possible Super Bowl last year.

Perhaps, as many assume, AR is merely “playing out the string” in Green Bay, with visions of signing elsewhere next year. But, despite clear Hall of Fame stats, the lack of leadership, enthusiasm, and effort by AR in this one might well give other teams pause as to whether he can do a “Tom Brady” in a different uniform.  

So, since he decided to come back to the Pack for this season, I think AR would do well to play like he cares, even if it’s only to set up a deal for next year. And, the Pack might want to take a closer look at Love, who has yet to show that he can translate a sterling college career into “upper echelon” NFL QB performance.

Next week it’s the Detroit Lions in Green Bay. Normally, that’s good news for the Pack who have beaten the Lions the last four times at Lambeau. This is a “new-look” Lions team with Jarod Goff replacing Matthew Stafford at QB. While losing their opener at San Francisco, Detroit showed some energy and enthusiasm in closing a 28-point third quarter deficit to a 41-33 final. Although throwing a key interception, Goff looked much better than AR in the opener.

AR and the Pack need to shake off the sleep walk. Otherwise, it’s going to be a long, stormy season in Green Bay. The kind that will make you lose hair, rather than grow it!

PWS

09-13-21