An Abundance of Impatience

This might very well be the earliest in the day that I have ever posted anything on here, but it is for a good reason. I could not wait to get to bed last night so today would come faster and woke up at around 8 a.m. excited as a little kid on Christmas morning. Or just as excited as I get on Christmas morning.

Christmas come early this year because of what happened this past February in the 'House That Jerry Built' when Green Bay won Super Bowl XLV. As soon as that game was over, and pairing it with the whole lockout deal making this season a possible afterthought, I quickly began to count down the days until tonight. It's the first time since the year 2000 that the last two Super Bowl Champions will meet in their season openers, and I couldn't be more excited.

Yes, it is going to be great to watch Green Bay lit up and bask in the glory of the city's 13th NFL championship (more than any other franchise I might add) and for all the pregame festivities that are only going to make a fan like me wish I was there. That is all well and good but the thing that I am most excited for is to see how Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers keeps everyone happy on his offense. People tend to forget that Green Bay made their Super Bowl run with 15 guys on Injured Reserve, two of the most notable being running back Ryan Grant and stud tight end Jermichael Finley. Both had gotten hurt very early in the year and the Packers/Rodgers had to adjust their offense to be able to work without them. I know all everyone has been talking about is how during the lockout Rodgers did not organize any voluntary team workouts like Drew Brees or Tom Brady did, and how that might make the Packers not quite ready for the season opener. I think this is a whole bunch of hoopla that is ridiculous, because those who say this seem to forget that Green Bay played a month longer than everyone else except for the Steelers (who they beat to win the Super Bowl) so it's not like they will be that rusty.

I pray that everyone-and most importantly Aaron Rodgers-stays healthy starting tonight and throughout the season just so they can show the world how good they really can be. I cannot wait until tonight, when in just under eleven hours we'll get to see (hopefully): Rodgers flash his latest championship belt, Charles Woodson bully his wide receiver, Clay Matthews flex his massive biceps after a sack, Greg Jennings blow past a defensive back and have Rodgers hit him in stride, among many other things. Like a little kid in a candy store, I'm not going to be able to stand myself. I think I'm too addicted to sports.

In other Wisconsin sports, the Milwaukee Brewers continue to demolish everyone and look to be on their way to a division title. Now, as I'm sure you are thinking, I should be happy because it seems like things are all turning for the better in terms of Wisconsin sports, but I am not. Being from Dayton, Ohio and growing up in a household with a father who lives and breathes his Cincinnati Reds I naturally grew up a fan of the Redlegs. I have no problem with that, because of the history of the Big Red Machine, all of the great players, and the wire to wire World Series Championship in 1990. With that having been said, I do have something to say about this year's Brewers team.

As far as NL Central division foes go, I didn't really have anything negative to say towards Milwaukee before this season began. I usually reserve those comments for the St. Louis Cardinals because I simply can't stand their manager Tony La Russa and because they have been on top for as long as I can remember before last year. But this year, as I said, is different. This year, the Brewers are going for it-and with this being Prince Fielder's last season under contract I can't say I blame them. They made a few big moves at the trade deadline and when you look at what they gave up to get the players they got, it's safe to say they are built for 2011 and not the future. One player who they acquired before this season began was a guy by the name of Nyjer Morgan.

Nyjer Morgan (or T Plush as he calls his alter-ego) plays outfield for the Brew Crew and bats lead off. He is very physically gifted with quick feet and the ability to beat out close plays at first in order to get on base. But the dude is a punk. It wasn't two years ago when he was with the Nationals that he was the focal point of a bench clearing brawl in Florida after charging the mound. He then (as you can see from the video) walks off the field yelling at the opposing fans and acting like what he has done is what everyone wants to see. Sure, a change of scenery is more often than not good for a lot of guys in baseball as they try to revamp a career that is stuck in the mud. I'm no baseball guru or historian but I am a fan, and as a fan you hate to see that kind of stuff. I can't even imagine what National fans must have thought when they witnessed this. They probably said something to the effect of, "Man our team sucks now we have this jackass making us look even worse." But like I said I'm not a Washington fan so I can't say for certain if that is true or not.

I bring T Plush up this morning because after my traditional hour of Sportscenter I learned that after striking out against the Cardinals' Chris Carpenter last night, Morgan had a few choice words for the pitcher and then took his wad of tobacco out of his mouth and tossed it at Carpenter. Apparently there has been a history between the two players regarding Carpenter throwing at Morgan, Morgan talking trash, etc. so last night was a bit of a boil over stemming from that. The benches cleared yet again, and once T Plush was restrained and taken to the dugout he could be seen talking smack to the St. Louis fans. Get over yourself dude. Come on.

In the August 29th issue of Sports Illustrated the cover story was about the Milwaukee Brewers and their successes this season, with a focus on Nyjer Morgan. Interviews with some of the other Brewers such as Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun reveal that they are embracing his antics, and enjoy the edge that he gives their team. I can understand that and having been on my fair share of sports teams every team has to have a character to keep things light during the grind of a season. But in my own personal opinion, he takes it a step (or maybe two) too far. He needs a wake up call, and I have no idea if it is going to happen anytime soon, but who cares. Green Bay plays tonight.

I'm off to go try and keep myself busy as I wait the 10+ hours until kickoff. GO PACK GO!!

Proud Buckeye who is an even bigger Packer fan tonight,

Eric Seger

Daily Segs