QUOTE: “In a different era, I would have called myself a natural philosopher. All my life, I have enjoyed the reputation of being someone who disrupted prevailing ideas. Now that I'm in my 80th year, I can play on my age and provoke people even more.” -- Benoit Mandelbrot
Packers’ new look
Uh oh, the Packers are unveiling a new uniform on Friday. I don’t like the sounds of that. I’m a traditionalist when it comes to uniforms, and I believe even the slightest variation of that tradition is not right. I’ll wait to see the outcome, but I don’t like the sound of this at all.
Charlie Whitehurst on tour
As predicted, the Cards are interested in Chargers quarterback Charlie Whitehurst as a potential competition for Matt Leinart. They’re also interested in bringing in Derek Anderson, who was waived by the Browns on Tuesday. Clearly, the Cards are not putting all their chips in the Leinart basket and want to make sure they find the right piece to enhance their skill players. I love that the Cards are being aggressive in their pursuit of quarterbacks and not just placing convenient faith in Leinart because they drafted him in the first round. Head coach Ken Whisenhunt knows his future is tied to the skill players on the team, and the NFC West is up for grabs if he can get the right player to lead the offense.
Derek Anderson went to the Pro Bowl in 2007, in part because of his ability to make throws down the field. The 2007 Browns offense had very talented players at the skill positions. Braylon Edwards made plays and scored 16 touchdowns, and the Browns had the ability to run and throw. The 2010 Arizona Cards have similar skill players as the 2007 Browns, and they can make a deep-ball thrower like Anderson look effective. Anderson is not very accurate on the first or second level, but he does throw the deep ball well, and with Larry Fitzgerald running down the field, he makes most quarterbacks look better.
So why is Leinart not the answer for the Cards? Great question, especially since Leinart has actually played more than Whitehurst. In the past, Leinart’s work habits have come into question, and his inability to process quickly with the ball in his hands makes the Cards nervous he can make this offense hit on all cylinders. Is Whitehurst better than Leinart? No one can answer that question, but this we can assume: Whisenhunt liked Whitehurst coming out of Clemson, and he’s not yet sold on Leinart.
T.O. and Ocho
Can these two wide receivers really make it work in Cincinnati? Can Terrell Owens take some pressure off Chad Ochocinco? Forgetting the off-the-field stuff (which is hard to do with T.O., although he did behave in Buffalo last year), my problem with the Bengals making this move is that I’m not sure it will solve the problems in the passing game. T.O. is not the same player, and neither is Chad. Both have seen better days, and the receiver who will help Chad extend his career is Brandon Marshall from Denver, not T.O. from Twitter.
Five years ago, this pairing would have brought fear to every defensive coordinator in the NFL. However, now they both have weaknesses in their game, and for Carson Palmer to excel, he needs explosive players who can escape tight press coverage. Ochocinco can still do this, but I’m not as confident in Owens. Yes, Owens keeps himself in great shape and still looks the part, but he’s not nearly as explosive as he once was. He does not separate and he does not win the initial one-on-one matchup. This paring might look good on paper, but in reality, it will struggle to be successful.
Denver is rebuilding its defensive front
The Broncos clearly have made a commitment to improve the physical nature of their defensive front, and their signings at the beginning of free agency support this commitment. After giving up more than 900 yards rushing the last month of the season, the Broncos are committed to stopping the run.
If Jamal Williams can stay healthy, which might be difficult, he gives the Broncos a solid rundown nose. Justin Bannan is a very effective player who plays hard and with great intensity and effort. Jarvis Green can still rush and move when playing inside over the guard, and he’ll be an effective situational rusher. The combination of these three players, along with their versatility, enhances the Broncos front.
With these signings, the Broncos can now add speed and athletic talent to their linebacking group in the draft. They’ll need to be precise with all their evaluations of the hybrid backers in the draft, but these defensive line signings allow them to focus their full attention on their evaluations of backers.
Follow me on Twitter: michaelombardi
For a look at Derek Anderson's possible landing spots, check out this article from Bleacher Report.
I felt the same way when I saw the headlines earlier about the Packers uni's. But thank god and jose, they are of the throwback variety. A tribute to the Packer's first championship in 1929. Navy blue and khaki. It may not translate well to today's uniforms, but I like that they are keeping with the great history that makes the Pack a fan favorite.
Actually Mike I guess the new uni is a throwback to the Packers' 1929 uniform. It shouldn't look too bad.
As others said...a throw back...alternate jersey.
And they have done this before with the Navy blue jerseys.
Denvers DL is going to collect social security before the season is out,
they are one old bunch on defense.
A little quick on the gun to judge how T.O. and Ochocinco will play together. Owens still showed some of his old explosiveness last year, and if he gets single coverage for a whole game, he will hurt defenses for their mistake. Marshall is the better player, but he's expensive and unlikely to land in Cincinnati.
I would like to see a lot of the teams try different uniforms. I think that the "tradition" that follows some of these teams is a little over blown. I'm a huge Packer fan and I would love to see more creativity in the uniforms. The Packers have actually had several different uniforms over the years. I would like to see them do something that would make me want to buy a new uniform.
you're a "traditional list"?
WOW. EDITING FAIL.
A little quick on the gun to judge how T.O. and Ochocinco will play together. Owens still showed some of his old explosiveness last year, and if he gets single coverage for a whole game, he will hurt defenses for their mistake. Marshall is the better player, but he's expensive and unlikely to land in Cincinnati.
I still say the Pack should look into a slight color shift, toward more of an actual green and GOLD, instead of bright yellow. I think it would look a little more classy. Darker green and gold. Do it.
The Steelers better start getting into this backup QB shopping as their franchise guy might be playing for the Mean Machine next year.
T.O. would be a great help spreading the field for Chad but they would also have to have a speed type receiver to handle all the quick routes that T.O and Chad no longer want to or can't run anymore.
Lombardi,
I'm glad that my Broncos have made all these enhancements to their defensive line. A wise NFL coach once told me that you can never have too many defensive linemen and I believe him! Hopefully, Jamal Williams remains healthy as he's one of the best signees we could have had should that be the case! Also, I think Charlie Whitehurst just needs an opportunity and the Cards will love him. Derek Anderson may be adept with the deep ball, but I think his character took a major hit after what he told the Brown fans. How dare you tell a languishing fan base they don't deserve a championship? Whisenhunt is a good man and he doesn't deserve trash like Derek Anderson. I close for now, but Lombardi, this is a great post. May the Packers reconsider this asinine attempt to enter the "modern stratosphere," i think changing their uniforms sucks.
Like others said, alternate unis reflecting the Packers' history are fine. The only thing I'd hate to see would be new-fangled inventions like the Broncos, Bucs, Patriots, Bills, etc did. (which Ron Wolf almost did during the early 90s, btw. From what I've read, the new look unis were all ready to go before he changed his mind at the last minute, deciding that "what we need is better players, not new uniforms." Smart move, Ron!)
I look at it this way. TO may not be what he was, but he is a hell of a lot better than Lavernaues Cole. Considering what they wasted on that dud, it is surprising they don't step up for Marshall. Maybe they still will, after Denver smells teh coffee and agrees to accept a second rounder for him. TO, Ocho and Marshall, what a trio.
Brad, i think you are being a little harsh on DA. He said he was upset when they cheered when he was injured. The guy went from Pro bowl to getting cut in a couple of years. Has to play with your head a little. A change of scenery will be very good for him.
If I was Whisenhunt I would love to get Whitehurst, but DA comes as an UFA. Whitehurts, Campbell, any of Philly's QBs, all will require picks. Tough choice.
Cost benefits, which player is best at this time?
TO will jump onto other's routes in his combos(he did this at Dallas even when it was something simple like taking away a Fasano corner in the smash combo, bailing on his hitch to go deep where the tight end was supposed to get a pass).
That would probably not sit well w/Chad. Perhaps it only motivates him more as well. They would strive to outdo one another. Palmer is not shy of adding good players, and Marvin has made a case for improving in all phases by all means.
TO is still cheaper in terms of what a team gives up to get him.
For Cincy, the reverse usually applies. Marvin is clearly wanting to go BPA instead of strictly needs based this draft(we may even end up seeing them get a QB if one falls their way far enough to get a new era ready). The front office is famous for wanting to cheapen its acquisition moves. They may do so radically to correct the Coles contract fallout on his release.
Letting a pick go for an expensive Brandon Marshall would perhaps be cheaper(other NFP readers commend the idea). He'd have a longer term deal for his youth, which usually insures cap friendliness. Trading his big salary for a big first round salary could mitigate that further, even though there's a rookie pool.
Owens would be a short term solution in comparison. Palmer doesn't seem to mind it.
It could make for dynamite viewing if either arrives. The Steelers lack corners, the Browns are rebuilding, and the Ravens have to look at injury concernson corners while holding together a roster that is losing some talent fresh from a post season.
Your window closes fast, make something of the chance. How to get to that objective is going to be played out. Signing Owens probably wins them a lot of advance sales on tickets and gets them another prime time game?
As for the Cards, Whiz is really getting to establish a system on offense. He would love to prove it works no matter who he puts in there. Leinert has experience in the system and Whitehurst could be additional proof of your capacity to procure and develop the most important position. He knows they win with offense, make certain you have quality depth.
Denver had a fast start last season, now teams have caught up to them. They may need a lot more than some situational linemen. One can imagine teams doing a no huddle on Williams until he sits out into the second quarter. It is still a plan to improve, each has some unique skills to compliment planning and playing. Most of those guys are true 3-4 linemen as well? Mike sees the trend in coming back to an Orange Crush style of play. By the season's end it would be a case of getting run over slowly, as opposed to the year before of getting run over. You have to get good in order to get great....
The Packers aren't changeing their uniforms, the are just gonna have a throw back jersey form the 20's, they are only gonna wear them for two home games. What a great reporter, get the facts first, BOZO!!
Whisenhunt liked Whitehurst coming out of Clemson. learn to read.
Whisenhunt liked Whitehurst coming out of Clemson. learn to read.
Green Bay SHOULD change their uniforms, the current ones are as ugly as sin....
TO's visit leveraged Bryant, a fairly shrewd maneuver.
Yeah, I like Bryant as the frontrunner here. He's young and has serious upside, won't be the cancer that TO is practically guaranteed to be (for questionable returns), and isn't going to cost nearly as much as Marshall would.
Heh only half an hour after the Bengals announce it...nevermind...
The old team that was put together in Denver started to show it's age half way into the season and wore down big time. The new players brought in are an upgrade over some of the players that they had but if you thought they were old last year. With the bulk of the players between 30 to 35 years old they do not look to be getting any younger. The team is starting to look like the "over the hill gang" in Washington years ago.
With teams like the Saints going in the other direction and letting the teams players over 30 go and refusing to over pay for old players. I think the best teams today are the ones that build with the Draft and mix in some vets. I am sure they have a plan in Denver but I cannot see what it might be.
Lombardi, if you are a traditionalist, doesn't a 1929 Johnny Blood McNalley uniform scream tradition? The The Packers did wear blue in the 50's also.
Chill out, it is an alternate and if you are worried about tradition get them to move the TV numbers off the shoulder and back to the sleeve. That is a Forrest Gregg innovation and we try and forget those
lebowski, the Packer uniform is classy enough as it is.
Go back and read on Ron Wolf's plans to change colors to what you suggest.
Teams make radical uniform shifts when they become stagnant.
Ever notice that other than the location of the sleeve number, the Packer uniform is essentially the same as it has been since 1960? How about the Bears, other than adding GSH, the uniform is the same - Both teams sell a lot of jerseys so why fix what aint broken
I woiuld like the Packers to wear the Gold Jerseys when on the Road instead of the current road whites.
I think that would be a great improvement.
The home uni's are great
As a Bears fan, I don't really care what the Pack does with their unis. I will say this: if the Bears EVER consider switching from Burnt orange and navy blue and that magnificent C on the helmet I will dump them forever. I love the GB logo, I love the vikings horns and the Lion, I generally hate the new logos (broncos, NE etc._
Somethings are not subject to change and the the Bear burnt orange, navy blue and C are one of them.
I'd like to see the Broncos roll out the classic unis this year--not the throwbacks to the '60s, the badass blues from the '70s, '80s and early '90s. The uniform of Tom Jackson, Ruben Carter and Randy Gradishar.
But no, we get brown and yellow from the terrible years. Come on, Bowlen, make this happen.
I'm not saying change the classic 'G' on the helmet or anything. I'm just saying when I wanna wear Packer gear, there's times when bright green and yellow hurt my eyes. I never want to see some Arena League crap like the Vikings and Seahawks have been wearing. Just better colors. Darker green and more of a gold than canary yellow. Do it. I can't wait for these throwbacks to come out either.
Bear Market - Look at the Lion of last year and the year before, they changed him.
I think you don't have to worry about the Bear uniforms.
Isn't it funny that as soon as the Bronco's changed to the new uniforms, they won two Super Bowls right away. The Patriots have been regular participants since they changed also
lebowski - Forest Green is pretty dark. I don't think they were ever looking at changing the green, just the gold to something similar to Notre Dame. Then they started winning and forgot about it
Geez, Mike, hold your water. They're the throwbacks of 1929. No clown colors, no gansta colors, just great NFL history that's unfortunately all but forgotten.
Well look at the walking contradiction.
If you're a traditionalist, you'd be lobbying for a full-time switch to the new uniform the Packers are dropping today. They're from f-ing 1929. It doesn't get more traditional than that until you go to jerseys without numbers.
Learn a little bit about what you're talking about befor you excrete some lame opinion that makes no sense.
Well look at the walking contradiction.
If you're a traditionalist, you'd be lobbying for a full-time switch to the new uniform the Packers are dropping today. They're from f-ing 1929. It doesn't get more traditional than that until you go to jerseys without numbers.
Learn a little bit about what you're talking about befor you excrete some lame opinion that makes no sense.
A clarification: the "new uniform" is not replacing the green and gold. It is a third look that will be worn only occasionally. Let's wait and see what it looks like before we go crazy.
Looking at the pictures of the "new" uniform, I think they are pretty cool.
Actually back in 1992 when Ron Wolf took charge of the packers he was going to change the uniforms to a gold and green scheme with gold helmets but was afraid to mess with tradition. (damn, they looked cool too.)
These uniforms are so ugly. I am not sure what they were thinking when they made them.
A list of thank yous and a final...
Even if you called me an idiot,...
Their success will depend on QB...
Titans coach wants Chris Johnson...
Now is the QB’s chance to show...
Mar 10, 2010
11:30 AM
I sure hope Whitehurst liked Whitehurst coming out of college