J-Hull Daily Nickel; September 3rd, 2010
Sept. 3, 2010 8:00 am

1.) We finally make it through the final teams on my 2010 NFL Preseason Power Rankings...

#6 New York Jets - The more I watch them, the more I think they are overrated.
#5 Green Bay Packers - Corners will be key for a deep run in playoffs
#4 New England Patriots - Betting against the Patriots is like betting for the Cubs
#3 Dallas Cowboys - On paper, Dallas has home field advantage in the Super Bowl
#2 New Orleans Saints - Super Bowl teams usually don't do well the next season
#1 Indianapolis Colts - Super Bowl teams usually don't do well the next season; unless Peyton Manning is your QB

View my #32-#27
View my #26-#20
View my #19-#13
View my #12-#7

2.) The Green Bay Packers (2-2) closed out the preseason with a 17-13 lost to the Kansas City Chiefs (1-3) Thursday night. Matt Flynn and Brett Swain stole the show for the Packers offense. Flynn was 23 of 37 for 308-yards with 6 of those passes going to Swain for 130-yards. The Packers will now have to make final cuts to get the roster from 75 to 53 by Saturday afternoon.

3.) Here is my take on who makes the Packers 53-man roster

Quarterback (2) - Aaron Rodgers, Matt Flynn
Running Back (3) - Ryan Grant, Brandon Jackson, FREE AGENT
Full Back (2) - John Kuhn, Korey Hall
Wide Receiver (5) - Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, James Jones, Jordy Nelson, Brett Swain
Tight End (4) - Jermichael Finley, Donald Lee, Andrew Quarless, Spencer Havner (OR LB)
Offensive Line (9) - Chad Clifton, Daryn Colledge, Scott Wells, Josh Sitton, Mark Tauscher, Bryan Bulaga, T.J Lang, Jason Spitz, Marshall Newhouse
Defensive Line (6) - B.J Raji, Ryan Pickett, Cullen Jenkins, Mike Neal, C.J Wilson, Justin Harrell
Linebacker (8) - Clay Matthews, Nick Barnett, A.J Hawk, Brad Jones, Brandon Chillar, Desmond Bishop, Brady Poppinga, Frank Zombo (Havner can fit in here too)
Cornerback (6) - Charles Woodson, Tramon Williams, Sam Shields, Brandon Underwood, Pat Lee, Jarrett Bush
Safeties (5) - Morgan Burnett, Nick Collins, Derrick Martin, Charlie Peprah, Will Blackmon
Kicker (1) - Mason Crosby
Punter (1) - Tim Masthay
Longsnapper (1) - Brett Goode

4.) The Wisconsin Badgers open up the 2010 campaign in Las Vegas against the Runnin' Rebels of UNLV Saturday night. Here is my prediction for the Wisconsin Season.

@ UNLV - WIN
San Jose State - WIN
Arizona State - WIN
Austin Peay - WIN
@ Michigan State - WIN
Minnesota - WIN
Ohio State - LOSE
@ Iowa - WIN
@ Purdue - WIN
Indiana - WIN
@ Michigan - LOSE
Northwestern - WIN

I am looking at an 11-1 year for this team. Watch for the Badgers to take on Oregon in the Rose Bowl.

5.) My Three College Football picks guaranteed to go wrong!

#1 = Missouri (-12) over Illinoins
#2 = BYU (-3) over Washington
#3 = Oregon State (+13 1/2) over TCU

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UNLV Preview with Mike Pritchard
Sept. 2, 2010 4:03 pm

Analyst with UNLV Radio Mike Pritchard joined the Home Stretch to preview the Wisconsin-UNLV matchup from the Running Rebels side.

Listen to Mike Pritchard on the Home Stretch 09/02/2010

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MLB Chat with Bill Chuck
Sept. 2, 2010 3:59 pm

Baseball Newstalgist from Billy-Ball.com Bill Chuck joined the Home Stretch to Major League Baseball

Listen to Bill Chuck on the Home Stretch 09/02/2010

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J-Hull Daily Nickel; September 2nd, 2010
Sept. 2, 2010 9:26 am

1.) Part 4 of 5 of my NFL Preseason Power Rankings

#12 Atlanta Falcons - Can't decided who I think will have a better a year; RB Michael Turner or QB Matt Ryan?
#11 Pittsburgh Steelers - If they can stay .500 or better with out Big Ben, it WILL be a big year.
#10 Minnesota Vikings - This team just doesn't impress me overall...I think Viking fans are in for a BIG let down.
#9 San Diego Chargers - A lot of question marks prevent a deep run...but that division is terrible.
#8 Cincinnati Bengals - I have to prevent myself from picking them to win the AFC...I have failed in my prevention.
#7 Baltimore Ravens - Like the Falcons, they need their 3rd QB (Joe Flacco) to have a BIG year.

Look at my #32 through #27
Look at my #26 through #20
Look at my #19 through #13

2.) NFL.Com has been previewing the NFL season all week with different articles pertaining to different topics. Today, they pick 5-teams that will be contenders in the next decade and checking in on the list...your Green Bay Packers.

3.) Tonight is the final preseason game for the Packers. They are in Kansas City to take on the Chiefs. Here are my players with the most to prove tonight before the final roster cut-down on Saturday.

#1 - DT Justin Harrell - Ted Thompson's biggest "bust" could be looking at his final game in a Packer uniform. Harrell sits right at the #5 or #6 best d-lineman on the team right now. With special teams stealing some extra roster spots at other positions, the d-line could be left with one less player putting Harrell on the bubble. He needs to show something BIG tonight otherwise Saturday, he will be heading home (or to another roster).
#2 - CB Jarrett Bush - Bush has been holding on to a roster spot the last few seasons because of his ability to play corner or safety along with a decent special teams showing. The special team reps have been taken over by Sam Shields and Derrick Martin and we all know he can't play corner. His last chance (and probably game) is tonight.
#3 - RB Kregg Lumpkin - No one has a roster spot sitting on a tee in front of him like Lumpkin does. With James Starks going on the PUP list and Quinn Porter on IR, the Packers have 3-active running backs. Ryan Grant and Brandon Jackson have secured spots so Lumpkin should get a majority of the love tonight. However, there will be a plethora of backs available after cuts so Lumpkin could be fighting more than just himself for that spot.
#4 - PR/KR Jason Chery - He pled for a chance to return kicks and ended up with a 75-yard punt return for a TD. A solid showing tonight could mean a roster spot and the demise of Will Blackmon.
#5 - QB Graham Harrell - Up until last week, Harrell looked like he could not throw the ball into the ocean. Suddenly, something clicked. We will see if it clicks in the game tonight. I still think he is destined for the practice squad at best.

4.) The Brewers were swept by the Reds last night...6-1 was the final. If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it does it make a noise?

5.) The Big Ten released their divisions for football in the new 12-team conference which opens play in 2011. Wisconsin, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue, Indiana, and Illinois will be in one division with Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, Michigan State and Northwestern in the other. It makes sense how they did it; it just doesn't make sense why they did it this way. Wisconsin by far got the worse of it. Their closest trip is 4-hours and Badger fans will only get to see Iowa, Nebraska, and Michigan 2-times EACH at Camp Randal in the next ten years.

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J-Hull Daily Nickel; September 1st, 2010
Sept. 1, 2010 9:02 am

Happy September! College Football and NFL Football is soon to be here. Here is what is on my mind today.

1.) I continue with my preseason NFL Power Rankings.

#19 Arizona Cardinals - The lowest check in by last years playoff teams...any surprise?
#18 Philadelphia Eagles - If Kevin Kolb has an Aaron Rodgers year; good for Kolb but bad for Philly
#17 Tennessee Titans - Chris Johnson needs some help. If he gets it, it could be back the playoffs for the Titans.
#16 Miami Dolphins - Team has the make-up of another mediocre finish.
#15 New York Giants - With the way teams move up and down in today's NFL, this should be an up year for the G-men.
#14 Houston Texans - Fans in Houston have been waiting for this team to make the next step. Remember from 2005 to 2007 when people where looking at the Cardinals that way?
#13 San Francisco 49ers - San Francisco is right up with Houston in teams looking to take the next step. They have not been knocking on the door as long as the Texans but play in a much weaker division.

Look at Rankings 32-27
Look at Rankings 26-20

2.) The Green Bay Packers made four moves Tuesday to take the roster from 79 to 75 players. Let's look at each move.

A.) CB Al Harris to the PUP list
This was a move that seemed imminent though the reality of it hurts a little. Harris has been a solid staple in the Packers defensive back field for years. With his absence to AT LEAST the first six weeks, the Green and Gold turns to Brandon Underwood, Pat Lee, and Sam Shields to pick up the slack! Could a rough start for the d-backs.

B.) S Atari Bigby to the PUP list
Bigby dug himself a hole by waiting as long as he did to sign his tender. Rookie Morgan Burnett has emerged as the starter, a very popular move among Packer fans. Unlike Harris, when Bigby returns he will have to earn his job back.

C.) RB James Starks to the PUP list
Starks did not play in 2009 with The University of Buffalo because of a shoulder injury and now he starts 2010 on the sidelines with a bum hamstring. He will have A LOT to prove when he is eligible for a return in week 6.

D.) RB Quinn Porter to Injured Reserve
Porter will not be playing with the Packers in 2010 after a hot start to camp. To continue on with the RB chatter, watch what Green Bay does for cuts. Fullback John Kuhn can run with the ball...do they keep 2-Running Backs and 3-Full Backs? I am going out on a limb...they pick up someone who is cut to be the third back.

3.) What is going on with Milwaukee Brewers starter Yovani Gallardo? Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel takes a look. I could not believe that he is 2-3 with 8.42 ERA in his last seven starts. What has happened to the Brewers "ace" the last couple months?

4.) It's September 1st so Major League Baseball has expanded their rosters. The Brewers bring up three players right off the bat: Third baseman Mat Gamel and Pitchers Jeremy Jeffress and Carlos Villaneuva. I am anxious to see Jeffress pitch in the bigs for the first time.

5.) "Hard Knocks" is back on the air tonight on HBO. Check out a preview of the next installment of the BEST show on TV (Not named Jersey Shore of course).

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Packer Chatter with Pigskin Paul
Aug. 31, 2010 4:10 pm

Football blogger Pigskin Paul from PigskinPaul.com joined the Home Stretch to talk Green Bay Packers Football. Paul talked Aaron Rodgers, expectations, rookies and more.

Listen to Pigskin Paul on the Home Stretch 08/31/2010

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Mike Woods talks Brewers and Packers
Aug. 31, 2010 4:04 pm

Mike Woods of the Appleton Post Crescent joined the Home Stretch to talk Milwaukee Brewers and Green Bay Packers. Mike talked Aaron Rodgers, 2010 Packers, Trevor Hoffman, and more.

Listen to Mike Woods on the Home Stretch

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J-Hull Daily Nickel; August 31st, 2010
Aug. 31, 2010 1:27 pm

1.) I continue with my NFL power rankings: today is 26 through 20

#26 Washington Redskins - Can Mike Shanahan turn things around in a year? NOPE!
#25 Kansas City Chiefs - If Jamaal Charles and Matt Cassel step up; COULD be a good year.
#24 Cleveland Browns - They hope momentum from the end of last season carries over.
#23 Oakland Raiders - Will all that top-10 talent come together?
#22 Chicago Bears - Trying the free agent route in 2010...I think it works! (PREDICTION)
#21 Carolina Panthers - Matt Moore = No more success that last year
#20 Denver Broncos - You think Tim Tebow is meant to be the savior of the end of the world in 2012?

2.) Sports Illustrated NFL Writer Peter King has made his 2010 NFL Predictions. The Green Bay Packers lose in the Super Bowl. Guess what? Last year he had the Chicago Bears losing in the Super Bowl (INSERT PRICE IS RIGHT LOSER SOUNDER).

3.) Former Wisconsin Badger QB Jim Sorgi makes the Giants...on Injured Reserve. I still can't believe this guy is in the league!

4.) Brewers and Reds in game #2 of the 3 game set tonight in Cincinnati. Wednesday, the rosters expand for the Brewers. Who do you want to see called up for September?

5.) Look who is back in football?

OK...sorry for the short effort today. At least we got something!!!

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Drew Wagner talks Milwaukee Brewers
Aug. 30, 2010 2:50 pm

Sports Writer Drew Wagner of OnMilwaukee.com joined th the Home Stretch to talk Milwaukee Brewers. Topics included Trevor Hoffman, Carlos Gomez, Ryan Braun and More.

Click here to listen to Drew Wagner on the Home Stretch

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J-Hull Daily Nickel; August 30th, 2010
Aug. 30, 2010 12:22 pm

After a month hiatus I am back! It was a crazy month with my wedding and football season getting busy. So we are back with your nickle!

1.) This week I will unveil my NFL preseason power rankings...6-spots per day this week...enjoy!

#32 - Buffalo Bills - They are the only of team in the NFL that has no QB AND no future at the position...
#31 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Rebuilding continues and will continue after Raheem Morris gets the axe after this year.
#30 - St. Louis Rams - Not expecting much from the Rams, but their week division could add a few wins to the mix.
#29 - Detroit Lions - Team most likely to make a huge jump in my opinion, though another year of struggles is not out of the question.
#28 - Seattle Seahawks - Nothing about this team excites me.
#27 - Jacksonville Jaguars - The L.A Jaguars continue their push. Is Ari Gold standing by?

2.) The Packers have made a decision at left guard for the 2010 season. Incumbent Daryn Colledge has beaten out 1st round pick Bryan Bulaga for the spot...for now. I like what Green Bay did here. For years, Colledge has been moving around the line playing (I believe) every spot except center. This year by giving him one position, I think he has solidified his game. ALSO, Bulaga got experience at the spot in case something happens to Colledge. With how much LT Chad Clifton will practice through the season, Bulaga now can move to that spot and Colledge can just sit at guard. I believe this move pays off in 2010. *NOTE: Bulaga was said to be playing only left tackle entering the season. That changed the second week of camp when Bulaga starter taking reps at left guard*

3.) It's the first edition of In the Huddle with Bill Scott tonight at the 5th Quarter in Little Chute and on the Woodward Radio Network. Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press Gazette and I will be joining Bill to preview the season. Starting next week, Packer offensive lineman T.J Lang will be co-hosting with Bill for the rest of the year.

4.) The Brewers are still playing! They travel to Cincinnati to try to play spoiler against the Reds. Cincinnati has a 5-game lead in the NL Central Standings. MILESTONE WATCH! Trevor Hoffman sits at 599-saves for his career. Brewer Manager Ken Macha say Hoffman will be used as need be.

5.) Bucks PG Brandon Jennings makes another appearance on TMZ as he talks about what is going on in the NBA with players joining forces. I think Jennings is joking with what who says but who knows...

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