Best Thing I Have Read In A Month

[rbaloha1]

There was another thread about players who can 2 gap on the inside, and Ngata can, effectively. Few can.

Interesting how much Walden is being slammed for his performance in the SF game, and Indi gave him a pretty fat contract for a guy the Pack found on the street!

That is why Packers need to commit 3 players to the dive. Raji is not elite and gets mashed around.

[Guiness]

Yup, I agree. For some stupid reason, I have continued to spell his name wrong from the time he played in Sault St. Marie. Don't know why and can't seem to stop it.

Ah, his year in the Sault - I forgot you knew a little about Northern Ontario. He was only there for one season then went to the WHL for the money at 17. I don't know if it was skill or luck that helped him survive a season in a pro hockey league at that age.

[smuggler]

I guess this is some type of agreement the packers defensive scheme is going to contain the niners. Waiting for some suggestions not cliches.

If you are giving that the 49ers are physically superior with their O-line against our D-line, I'd say there is probably nothing that can be done schematically to stop them. It's all about containment. Limit them to 200 rushing yards and 400 yards of offense and we probably win that game.

I would say that is a realistic expectation.

If you are trying to find a way to DOMINATE the 49ers, I think your answer will be found right on top of your pillow. In your head. In your dreams. While you are asleep.

The 49ers didn't have any offensive line injuries last season. Almost undoubtedly, they will not be so lucky this year. Improving defensive awareness of players on the field via more thorough exposure to the read-option will help. Our defense getting healthier will help. A better showing against the 49ers would be a very welcome change. I don't think anyone disagrees with you there.

[Patler]

Ah, his year in the Sault - I forgot you knew a little about Northern Ontario. He was only there for one season then went to the WHL for the money at 17. I don't know if it was skill or luck that helped him survive a season in a pro hockey league at that age.

Ya, I've spent some time in rinks in Northern Ontario, Southern Ontario, too.

I've always felt the great but small players had a tougher time in Juniors, where everyone is trying to be noticed, trying to make names for themselves, and could care less who they go after.

When Gretzky was in the WHL and when he first came to the NHL, he was the chief attraction, the meal ticket.. The NHL was not in good shape, and they needed a player like Gretzky to bring in fans other than the hard core fanatics. Players knew that, and respected what a guy like Gretzky could do for the league. In a way, they needed him. Besides, if you did get a bit cheap with Gretzky, you had a couple guys like Dave Semenko coming for you!

[woodbuck27]

Yup, I agree. For some stupid reason, I have continued to spell his name wrong from the time he played in Sault St. Marie. Don't know why and can't seem to stop it.

We all do that in some sense.

I wonder... is it somehow ....Freudian?

[woodbuck27]

Ah! Gotcha. You can mostly ignore my previous comment, as I see what you want to do is have an X's and O's discussion. Not considering myself to be knowledgeable enough to do that, I will bow out and let you guys go at it!

100 X's a 100% roaring laugh.

Great one Patler.

[Guiness]

Ya, I've spent some time in rinks in Northern Ontario, Southern Ontario, too.

I've always felt the great but small players had a tougher time in Juniors, where everyone is trying to be noticed, trying to make names for themselves, and could care less who they go after.

When Gretzky was in the WHL and when he first came to the NHL, he was the chief attraction, the meal ticket.. The NHL was not in good shape, and they needed a player like Gretzky to bring in fans other than the hard core fanatics. Players knew that, and respected what a guy like Gretzky could do for the league. In a way, they needed him. Besides, if you did get a bit cheap with Gretzky, you had a couple guys like Dave Semenko coming for you!

I was going to mention Dave Semenko - he scored a dozen goals a couple of his seasons in the NHL, I think Grezky bounced the puck off his melon for half of those!

Gretzky was afforded a lot of protection, and he was also hard to hit. I remember one comment that it was like hitting a rope. I never remember seeing him get really rocked. You might be right, and players laid off him a little because of who he was, but I have a little trouble believing that, it's just goes against the nature of the game.

[Patler]

Gretzky was afforded a lot of protection, and he was also hard to hit. I remember one comment that it was like hitting a rope. I never remember seeing him get really rocked. You might be right, and players laid off him a little because of who he was, but I have a little trouble believing that, it's just goes against the nature of the game.

I think it was true with Gretzky in Edmonton, not so much after he left there. The NHL really needed him those early years. Then again. there was so much talent on those Edmonton teams that many others could barely keep up with them, let alone try to hit them!

[pbmax]

That is why Packers need to commit 3 players to the dive.

Only if you want the 49ers to score 70. If they can learn to stop CK first, as he did the bulk of the damage, then its time to worry about the give. Given how the subsequent 2 games went, CK has to be the focus first. And I am sure 49ers are working now to take advantage of teams will do to emulate the Falcons and Ravens efforts to stop Kapernick.

[Zool]

Gretzky. GRETZKY. GRETZKY

I don't think getting his name wrong is an act of treason in Canada, but it's damn close!

I thought maybe he was like Beetlejuice where you say his name 3 times and he appears?

[run pMc]

I am sure 49ers are working now to take advantage of teams will do to emulate the Falcons and Ravens efforts to stop Kapernick.

In thinking of how the Ravens sent someone to hit CK after every play (whether he handed the ball off, ran, or threw), I wonder if the coaching staff is going to ask him to run a bit less this year. Remember, CK didn't play a full season and didn't get all the bumps and bruises that go with being a running NFL QB. SF got lucky with injuries and they had Alex Smith as a capable backup...I'm not sure they want to risk that again, especially if teams show a willingness to hit CK early and often in games.

[Fritz]

Keep the outside contain. Walden AND Matthews got washed inside too often. Let Gore do his damage - or Montee Ball - but try to limit that damage with active, physical linemen and inside linebackers. Outside linebackers bottle up Kaepernick, period. That way you reduce their options from three to two.

[woodbuck27]

I think it was true with Gretzky in Edmonton, not so much after he left there. The NHL really needed him those early years. Then again. there was so much talent on those Edmonton teams that many others could barely keep up with them, let alone try to hit them!

Wow! I'm impressed.

You know the NHL. Canadian Hockey.

We're happy. WE just won GOLD at the World's under 18 tournament.

We didn't do so good in the WJH Championship and needed that win. Help is on the way.

[pbmax]

I thought maybe he was like Beetlejuice where you say his name 3 times and he appears?

Careful, don't let Ptolemy homers and Greeks catch you spelling Betelguese that way.

[Patler]

Wow! I'm impressed.

You know the NHL. Canadian Hockey.

We're happy. WE just won GOLD at the World's under 18 tournament.

We didn't do so good in the WJH Championship and needed that win. Help is on the way.

I used to follow those tournaments religiously. I remember when Jason Spezza made a name for himself as one of the few 16 year olds to ever make Team Canada for World Juniors. (Only Gretzky and Lindros, or was it Mario L. before him?) As I recall, they made a big deal about Spezza making the team, then when the tournament came he played very little. (I could be wrong on that.). I can't believe that Spezza "kid" is already 30!

That is always good hockey. I love Juniors. Kids still trying to find themselves, and make that last big step.

Heck, I watched Sidney Crosby as a 12 or 13 year old, a couple years before he defected to Shattuck in the US!