Welcome to Sunday Scorecard, which has taken a slight hiatus to enjoy dining month.
We'll get right to the notes because, after a month of celebrating food and eating, it's about time to get back on the treadmill.
Is the glass half full: On one hand, you have to be impressed that the Packers' defense pitched a shutout Sunday against the New York Jets.
On the other hand, you're not out of line to be concerned about the Packers ability to muster just three Mason Crosby field goals in the 9-0 victory, even against a very talented Jets' defense.
Heading into the 2010 campaign, the Packers' offense was supposed to be it's biggest weapon. Whether it was Aaron Rodgers' passing, the wide receivers' ability to pull catches out of thin air or Ryan Grant's reputation for setting the table, the offense was expected to score at will this season.
That simply hasn't happened. Sure, Grant was lost for the season with an injury. Yes, there have been other injury problems. But let's face it; Rodgers hasn't exactly looked stellar this season. The wide outs have had trouble holding on to passes.
Things just seem out of sync.
Through their first eight games, the Packers have scored 145 points (18.12 per game). Heading into the Sunday game at New York, they were 21st in the league in points per game. Surely, that's not just because Grant is gone.
A half-game ahead of Chicago, Green Bay faces the Tony Romo-less Cowboys next week before getting their bye. The chance for a strong finish and a first-round playoff bye in an unimpressive NFC is still high, but an offense that struggles to score points will make it difficult.
Harris steps up: Former Wisconsin point guard Devin Harris has always been considered a class act. Now with the NBA's New Jersey Nets, Harris again showed he's a good guy.
Through Harris' 34 Ways to Assist Foundation, the Nets raised $75,000 for a fund to help paralyzed Rutgers University player Eric LaGrand, who suffered a spinal cord injury in a recent game against Army.
"The athletic community is very tight-knit," Harris said. "What happened to Eric is something that affects all athletes at every level."
A classy move by a classy guy.
Beware of the fun police: Several teams last season, notably the Cleveland Cavaliers, mentioned their displeasure with some of the tactics used by Squad 6 – the Bucks' version of a collegiate student section.
Some teams and players claimed to be distracted by the horns and drums used by the group so for 2010, the National Basketball Association, cracked down and outlawed the use of any kind of noisemakers.
The section is still loud and strong, but losing the drum -- which was used to signal the start of and lead cheers -- is very noticeable.
Squad 6 is one of the best things to happen in Milwaukee sports in a while. The NBA needs to reconsider its decision and think logically for a change. If a player is distracted by a drum ... that's his problem.
Larry King Lounge: Which streak is more impressive: Favre's 292 straight starts or the Ripken/Gehrig streaks in baseball? Scorecard goes with Gehrig, who played with a debilitating disease down the stretch ... Bret Bielema has led the Badgers to two impressive -- perhaps signature -- victories in the last two weeks but calling him a "big game" coach is still a little premature ... In case you missed it, Packers LB Clay Matthews is good. Really, really good. ... Bears fans, are you starting to cringe at the growing number of comparisons between Jay Cutler and Jeff George? ... The Badgers moved up to No. 7 in the latest Associated Press poll. They'll face Purdue Saturday at 11 a.m. in West Lafayette, Indiana. The Big Ten Network will broadcast the game.
