Brewers orchestrate another comeback victory Thursday

Brewers orchestrate another comeback victory Thursday. They beat Arizona, 4-1. Game 2 is Friday at 7:05PM CDT.

Taxpayers to get rude surprise

The Internal Revenue Service issued new tax withholding tables that will find millions of taxpayers having to pay back part of President Obama's "Making Work Pay" tax credit next spring. I knew that all this "free" money was going to come back and bite us!

Brewers win, sweep Pirates out of town

The Brewers swept the Pirates. They won Wednesday 1-0. Starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo hit a solo HR in the seventh inning and pitched 8 innings. Next up is a four game series against the D'backs. Game one is Thursday at 7:05PM CDT.

Jets release Brett Favre from retired list

New York Jets release Brett Favre from reserve/retired list, making him a free agent should he play again.

I find it peculiarly interesting that he wanted to be released when he retired a few months ago. Will the Minnesota Vikings call on Brett???

Brewers come from behind and beat Pirates

Brewers come from behind Tuesday, win over Pirates. Final score is 6-5. Game 3 Wednesday at 12:05PM CDT.

Michael Vick to play Arena Football?

The Albany Firebirds, an af2 franchise, have offered imprisoned QB Michael Vick a one year contract.

Cardinals release RB Edgerrin James, others

The Arizona Cardinals released three players Tuesday: RB Edgerrin James, CB Rod Hood and DE Travis LaBoy. James' release was expected after the Cardinals drafted RB Chris "Beanie" Wells Saturday with the 31st pick.

NFL looking to expand draft to 3 days, start on Thursday

The National Football League is looking into expanding the NFL Draft to three days and starting on Thursday.

According to the plan laid out, round one would be Thursday night. Rounds two and three would be Friday, with the remainder rounds being held on Saturday.

I'm NOT in favor of this plan. I'm actually really happy with the way that this year's draft went. Being a full-time truck driver that works Monday through Friday nights, the current plan is PERFECT! Rounds one and two start at 3PM CDT Saturday and the remaining five rounds start at 9AM Sunday. I don't miss work and can get a few zzz's in on Saturday. Please leave this alone NFL!!!

New Jawbone headset on sale Saturday

The Jawbone PRIME will go on sale Saturday, May 2.

Brewers beat up on Pirates Monday, 10-5

Brewers beat up on Pirates Monday, 10-5.

OL Jose Valdez signs with Falcons

According to arkansasrazorbacks.com, St. Francis (WI) H.S. graduate Jose Valdez signed Monday with the Atlanta Falcons. Valdez, an offensive lineman, was not drafted this past weekend in the 2009 NFL Draft.

2009 Packers draft picks...

The 2009 NFL Draft is April 25-26 in New York City. Here are the Packers draft picks (as of now). I will update as the Packers make their selections...

FIRST ROUND (April 25)
#9: DT B.J. Raji (Boston College)
#26 (from Patriots): OLB Clay Matthews III (USC)

SECOND ROUND (April 25)
#41: TRADED TO PATRIOTS

THIRD ROUND (April 26)
#73: TRADED TO PATRIOTS
#83 (from Jets): TRADED TO PATRIOTS

FOURTH ROUND (April 26)
#109: OL T.J. Lang (Eastern Michigan)

FIFTH ROUND (April 26)
#145: FB Quinn Johnson (LSU)
#162 (from Patriots): OT Jamon Meredith (South Carolina)

SIXTH ROUND (April 26)
#182: DE Jarius Wynn (Georgia)
#187 (from Saints): DB Brandon Underwood (Cincinnati)

SEVENTH ROUND (April 26)
#218: OLB Brad Jones (Colorado)

Brewers can't sweep, lose in Houston

Brewers lost 3-2 Sunday against the Astros. They next play the Pirates at home Monday.

Who is Keith Null?

The St. Louis Rams just selected QB Keith Null, from West Texas A&M, with the 196th pick. He is the third selection that I have no info on.

UPDATED (Apr. 26, 4:15PM): According to NFL Draft Scout, Null is 6-3 ⅛, 222 lbs., 40 time: 4.98 estimated and wore jersey #16 at West Texas A&M.

Travis Beckum to N.Y. Giants

The New York Football Giants take TE Travis Beckum with the 100th pick. Beckum is the fourth Badger to be taken.

WAKE UP PACKER FANS! They are slated to pick at #109!

OG Kraig Urbik to Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers just selected OG Kraig Urbik with the 79th pick. Urbik is the 3rd Badger taken.

OLB DeAndre Levy taken by Lions

The Detroit Lions just selected OLB DeAndre Levy, out of Wisconsin, with the 76th pick in the draft.

Who is Derek Cox?

The Jaguars just selected CB Derek Cox, from William & Mary, with the 73rd pick. Like Mike Mitchell yesterday, he wasn't one of about 1,070 prospects I had in my database.

First Badger taken in draft

The Oakland Raiders just selected Matt Shaughnessy, DE from Wisconsin, with the 71st pick.

Brewers rolling...

Don't look now, but the Brewers just won their fourth straight game and their second straight series! Brewers beat the Houston Astros 9-8 in 11 innings on Saturday. Game 3 (for the sweep!) is Sunday at 1:05PM CDT.

Day one draft analysis

The Packers made two selections on day one. We knew about #9, but were also expected to pick at #41. Then the Packers traded up to #26 instead.

#9: B.J. Raji. Very nice pick. Expected. Some say he could be the next Warren Sapp. Ryan Pickett should bounce out to DE now.

#26: Clay Matthews. Another good fit. Should complement Kampman at OLB.

Both of these picks were value picks. Raji was rated #7 overall and Matthews #23.

No third rounders Sunday (as of now). Packers have a four, two fives, two sixes and a seven. Should start at 9AM CDT on ESPN.

Who is Michael Mitchell?

The Oakland Raiders selected Michael Mitchell, a safety from Ohio University, with the 47th pick. Who is he? Out of 1,000+ prospects in my database, he isn't one of them. I will dig up information on Mitchell. Is Al Davis losing it?

UPDATED (Apr. 25, 8:22PM): NFL.com bio of Michael Mitchell
UPDATED (Apr. 25, 9:20PM): Found a You Tube video of Mitchell:

Madden NFL 10 Packers ratings

Here are the preliminary ratings for B.J. Raji and Clay Matthews, the two picks of the Packers:

Thompson's trading post is OFFICIALLY OPEN!

The Green Bay Packers traded their second round pick (#41) and both third round picks (#73 and #83) to the New England Patriots. In exchange, the Packers received a first round pick (#26) and a fifth round pick (#162).

With the newly acquired pick at #26, they pick Clay Matthews, LB from USC.

Detroit Lions sign QB Matthew Stafford

Lions sign QB Stafford, will be #1 overall Saturday.

Madden NFL 10 cover announcement

Electronic Arts (EA), makers of John Madden's football game, have announced what has long rumored to be true. The cover will be shared by two players, Larry Fitzgerald (Cardinals) and Troy Polamalu (Steelers). "Madden NFL 10" (for 2010, not the 10th installment) will be released at 12:01AM local time on Friday, August 14, 2009.

Even though John Madden announced his retirement from broadcasting earlier this month, he still plans on being actively involved in the video game that bears his name.

Chiefs trade TE Gonzalez to Falcons

The Kansas City Chiefs traded TE Tony Gonzalez to the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday. In exchange, the Chiefs receive a second round draft pick in 2010.

Brewers FINALLY win a series!

RHP Dave Bush came close to a no-hitter Thursday as the Brewers beat the Phillies, 6-1. The Crew takes this series, 2 games to 1. This is the first series of the 2009 season that the Brewers have won. The previous four series were all lost, 2 games to 1.

Woman hires impersonator to attend her high school reunion

A woman hired an impersonator to attend her high school reunion. This is pretty funny and clever. Wish I would of thought of that a few years ago.

Lions close to reaching a deal with QB Stafford

Lions close to reaching a deal with QB Matthew Stafford.

Cards' schedule violates Fiesta Bowl contract

The Arizona Cardinals game against the Packers on Jan. 3, 2010 is too close to the Fiesta Bowl, which is Jan. 4th. 48 hours space needs to separate the events. This may force the NFL to move the Packers-Cardinals game to Sat., Jan. 2, 2010. Stay tuned for developments...

John Madden retires from broadcasting...

Hall of Fame football coach John Madden has retired from broadcasting NFL games. Madden has recently been teamed up with Al Michaels on NBC's Sunday Night Football, as well as ABC's Monday Night Football before that. NBC announced that Cris Collinsworth will be Madden's replacement.

Breaking sports news video. MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL highlights and more.

Merle Harmon passes away...

Merle Harmon, broadcaster of baseball's Milwaukee Braves and Brewers, passed away Wednesday. He was 82.

Harmon was teamed with Tom Collins and Bob Uecker on Brewers broadcasts until 1979. He also owned Merle Harmon's Fan Fair until retiring in 1996.

Full 2009 NFL schedule IS RELEASED!

The full 2009 NFL schedule will be released about 6:00 PM CDT Tuesday. I will post the Packers schedule here then.

UPDATED (Apr. 14, 6:02 PM): Here it is!

2009 GREEN BAY PACKERS SCHEDULE (all times Central)
Week 1: Sun. Sept. 13 7:20PM NBC vs. Chicago Bears (9-7 in 2008)
Week 2: Sun. Sept. 20 12:00PM CBS vs. Cincinnati Bengals (4-11-1 in 2008)
Week 3: Sun. Sept. 27 12:00PM Fox @ St. Louis Rams (2-14 in 2008)
Week 4: Mon. Oct. 5 7:30PM ESPN @ Minnesota Vikings (10-6 in 2008)
Week 5: *****OPEN DATE*****
Week 6: Sun. Oct. 18 12:00PM Fox vs. Detroit Lions (0-16 in 2008)
Week 7: Sun. Oct. 25 12:00PM Fox @ Cleveland Browns (4-12 in 2008)
Week 8: Sun. Nov. 1 12:00PM Fox vs. Minnesota Vikings (10-6 in 2008)
Week 9: Sun. Nov. 8 12:00PM Fox @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7 in 2008)
Week 10: Sun. Nov. 15 3:15PM Fox vs. Dallas Cowboys (9-7 in 2008)
Week 11: Sun. Nov. 22 12:00PM Fox vs. San Francisco 49ers (7-9 in 2008)
Week 12: Thu. Nov. 26 11:30AM Fox @ Detroit Lions (0-16 in 2008)
Week 13: Mon. Dec. 7 7:30PM ESPN vs. Baltimore Ravens (11-5 in 2008)
Week 14: Sun. Dec. 13 12:00PM Fox @ Chicago Bears (9-7 in 2008)
Week 15: Sun. Dec. 20 12:00PM Fox @ Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4 in 2008)
Week 16: Sun. Dec. 27 12:00PM Fox vs. Seattle Seahawks (4-12 in 2008)
Week 17: Sun. Jan. 3 3:15PM Fox @ Arizona Cardinals (9-7 in 2008)

I guess WHDH-TV is gutless and spineless after all...

WHDH-TV, Boston's NBC affiliate, caved in to the network by agreeing to air Jay Leno's "new" show after all.

On April 3, I blogged about this station airing local news instead of NBC's idea of shoving Leno down viewer's throats.

To Boston viewers, what channel is airing news still? Might want to watch that instead as an idea for a protest...

All-Star RHP Fidrych found dead in accident

Former All-Star Mark "The Bird" Fidrych was found dead this afternoon at his farm in Massachusetts. He was 54. He spent all five years of his career with the Detroit Tigers. His career was shortened by injuries.

HOF broadcaster Harry Kalas dies

Philadelphia Phillies "voice" Harry Kalas was found dead in the broadcast booth earlier today. He was 73. Besides the Phillies and his signature "Outta Here!" home run call, Kalas was also known for his NFL Films voice work. Kalas received the Baseball Hall of Fame's Ford C. Frick Award in 2002. He will definitely be missed...

U.S. Captain freed in swift firefight

Capt. Richard Phillips was freed from his Somali captors just moments ago...

I'll try to add more later. I was just shutting down my computer when this broke.

UPDATED (Apr. 12, 10:04 PM): Here's some more on this story. These thugs from Somalia think that they're gonna win this? They're f***ing with the most powerful navy in the world! Bring it on, you low life scumbags from Somalia! Bring it on...

Former Bears troublemakers reunite in Cincy...

DT Terry "Tank" Johnson agreed to a contract with the Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday. Johnson will be reunited with RB Cedric Benson, whom he played on the Chicago Bears with. Both Johnson and Benson were more known for off-the-field issues while in Chicago.

This doesn't surprise me at all. The Bengals' team colors are orange with black stripes for a reason. It makes the team more comfortable...

(I can't find the pic from the news yesterday. It was the one with Milwaukee House of Correction inmates cleaning up highways wearing orange and black)

Say 'NO' to Chicago 2016 Games!!!!!!!!!!

As a truck driver who doesn't need to see even more traffic on archaic Chicago-Milwaukee area freeways, I'm saying a very loud "NO" to Chicago's 2016 Olympic bid. This area doesn't have enough capacity on existing, as well as planned freeways to handle this type of traffic.

Zambrano wants Wrigley replaced

Chicago Cubs RHP Carlos Zambrano wants Wrigley Field replaced with a newer, state of the art facility. He said this on Saturday before the Cubs played the Yankees at the Bronx Bombers' new digs.

Wrigley Field is the second oldest active ballpark in MLB baseball. Fenway Park in Boston is older.

Although I hate the Cubs, you have to respect tradition. Bold prediction: Zambrano won't be a Cub much longer.

T-Mobile to Use Google Software in Devices for Home

T-Mobile plans on introducing home-based devices using Google's Android OS next year. I wonder if this will be similar to the Verizon home device that they started advertising.

Last year, they released the G1, made in cooperation with HTC. I have a G1 phone (pictured below) and love it! I even have iPhone owners jealous.

Tundra Vision: Could Raji Be Our Warren Sapp???

Tundra Vision: Could Raji Be Our Warren Sapp???

Zero not himself...

My wife and I visited the Milwaukee County Zoo earlier today for "family free day."

Most of the bears were still hibernating (black, brown, grizzly) except for the star bear. I am speaking of the zoo's polar bear, Zero. You may recall that this past fall, Zero did just that...fell (into the moat). A safety net broke his fall and he decided to stay down in the moat area for a few weeks. Zoo staff eventually had to tranquilize him and hoist him back up to the main area with a crane. (link) (link) (link)

Watching him earlier today, he didn't seem himself - kind of dirty and acting peculiar. I'm wondering if he suffered some sort of brain damage when he fell?

I'll have some pics posted later this weekend...

UPDATED (Apr. 5, 2:23 AM): Here's one I took of Zero...



UPDATED (Apr. 5, 2:48 AM): Here are two that my wife took...

Giants release WR Plaxico Burress

The New York Giants have released WR Plaxico Burress.

Burress still faces charges of firing a firearm inside New York City limits in 2008. You remember, right? He shot HIMSELF in the leg.

Network affiliate stands up to big bully network...

WHDH, an NBC affiliate in Boston, has decided to carry a local newscast this fall instead of Jay Leno's new show. NBC Network president made a statement that the move would be a "flagrant violation" of its contract with the network.

I applaud WHDH management for standing up to the network. Network programming should be an option, not mandatory. Are we in China or Cuba? I don't think so. Just because NBC thinks that this show should air, doesn't mean that the stations feel the same way. This past week, several Fox stations decided against airing Ozzy Osbourne and his family with a "variety" special. WITI-TV/DT in Milwaukee was one station that didn't air the Osbournes live.

Cutler traded to Bears

The Denver Broncos traded disgruntled QB Jay Cutler to the Chicago Bears. Details below:

Chicago Bears receive:

1. QB Jay Cutler
2. 2009 fifth round draft pick (#140 overall)
   

Denver Broncos receive:

1. QB Kyle Orton
2. 2009 first round draft pick (#18 overall)
   
3. 2009 third round draft pick (#84 overall)
   
4. 2010 first round draft pick

Not good for the Packers (unless Cutler cries some more in Chicago).

Broncos owner: Cutler to be traded

Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen announced that the team will seek a trade for QB Jay Cutler.

I linked to the Packers blog on JS Online and...like Mr. Bedard notes, Packers fans should keep an eye on the other 3 teams in the division (especially the Lions with that #1 overall pick later this month).