Tom_Pipines' Blog

     Bo Ryan's the son of a basketball coach; he's also a father to one.

     You just take the man for granted-but year in-year out, Ryan-who worked his way up through the state coaching ranks-wins and goes to NCAA Tournaments.

     The players change; the system stays the same.

     You pass, run and cut, shoot (more than you might think), rebound, defend like your life depends on it-and-in the majority of cases, you win.

     In Monday night's scintillating, 74-72 win at Virginia Tech (Round one of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge), Wisconsin led by three when the Hokies tied the game with seconds left.

     Trevon Hughes dribbled downcourt-seemed to elude defenders like a running back Packers Coach Mike McCarthy can only WISH he had, and sank a short jumper for a 74-72 victory.

     Bo Ryan knew going to Blacksburg, Virginia was going to be a battle.

     So at Monday morning's shootaround, he had his team practice end-game situations.

     Preparation-just part of Ryan's greatness as a coach.

     When it comes to basketball--BO TRULY KNOWS! 

     The Packers are TOAST- when it comes to the playoffs this season.

      Burned by Carolina on Sunday, they're two games back of the Vikings (one behind the Bears) with four left.

     Barring a miracle, the Pack won't make the playoffs this season.

     THAT'S UNACCEPTABLE!

     From thirteen and three and a ticket to last year's NFC Championship game, to five and seven as of this posting, doesn't cut it.

     Aaron Rodgers isn't too blame.

     He'll learn to create fourth quarter comebacks.

     But for the most part, number twelve has been solid in his first season as the starter.

     The defense and special teams have been horrendous, the "o" line inconsistent, the feature running back (Ryan Grant) disappointing.

     Some of Ted Thompson's roster decisions (give punter Derrick Frost the boot!)-have been lame.

     Mike McCarthy's coaching and play-calling-far from stellar.

     Specials Teams Boss Mike Stock and Defensive Coordinator Bob Sanders have to go. 

     It comes down to the players performing.

     But the this year's team in Titletown-underperformed-from the top on down.

     EVEN BRETT FAVRE WOULD HAVE HAD TROUBLE LEADING THE OH EIGHT VERSION OF THE GREEN AND GOLD TO THE PLAYOFF PARTY!            

     You're always patient with Ol' Pip and his blogging; plenty of opinions as I get my two cents in.

     Here's another opinion--NO; MAKE THAT FACT.

     I am a blessed man-for so many reasons.

     The Good Lord has given me far more than I deserve-INCLUDING YOU.

     Many years ago-about twenty-seven, I left ESPN to come to Milwaukee.

     A colleague of mine pointed out that I was going to a great community with hard-working people who know their sports.

     The advise was to work hard myself and earn their trust.

     I hope I've done that; because you've given me the chance to share my passion.

     Happy Thanksgiving Friends; and God's Blessing to everyone-through this special season-and beyond.     

     I was fortunate--better yet-blessed to cover a story about Hometown Heros over the past six weeks.

     The Heros are too many to list here.

     Start with Karen Longoria.

     She's a loving, single mother who is in remission from stage three breast cancer.

     Move on to her thirteen year-old triplets.

     Two of them are in wheelchairs with cerebral palsy and a form of muscular dystrophy.

     The Longoria Family is a loving and spiritual one.

     They have met their challenges head on-with a little help from their friends--again-too many to count.

     These friends-about one thousand of them-with the help of local companies-rebuilt the Longoria's home in Grafton, while the Family stayed in a hotel.

     This month-long "labor of love" was a complete surprise.  Karen and the kids thought there'd be a few doorways widened to make the house more wheelchair accessible.

     When they returned to their neighborhood-in a hummer's limo, they saw a parade featuring national entertainers, singers, a band, speeches.

     When Karen and the youngsters re-entered the home, they saw a completely re-built basement, an elevator, and a brand new sunroom.

     Karen cried; so did many of the vounteers.

     It was an act of love--one that will resonate throughout the Northshore for a long time.  

     The Packers big win over the Bears last Sunday was a MIRAGE!

     Witness the Monday Night Massacre In New Orleans!

     After hanging with the amazing Drew Brees for half the game, Aaron Rodgers threw two critical interceptions (3 overall) in the second half.

     The Saints much-maligned defense stopped the Pack cold-and forced Rodgers to the air all too often, and number twelve was grounded.

     There was no answer for Drew Brees.

     In this his NFL record-setting season, the quarterback is throwing the ball all over the lot-just as he did against the Badgers and other Big Ten teams, as a Purdue Boilermakers star.

     THE PACKERS DEFENSE WAS PATHETIC.

     Brees tossed four touchdown passes (two were 70 yarders) against Coordinator Bob Sanders unit; he didn't have a clue on how to defend the New Orleans offense-neither did his players.

     Mike McCarthy and his men should be ashamed of what happened on a national stage.

     They are not a playoff-worthy team.       

     If they somehow sneak into the dance as NFC North Champ; it'll be a short one.

     Here's Mr. Favre, leading the Bretts (or Jets-your preference) past the 10 and 0 Titans in Tennessee.

     After road wins over the Patriots and Titans, New York's won five in a row; they're 8 and 3-atop the AFC East.

     Some are talkin about a Jets/Giants Super Bowl!

     Hey, I'm happy for Number Four; I still love the man, but I'm fine with Number Twelve at the helm in Titletown.

     The point is-the more snaps Favre takes for the Jets-and the better they do-the higher the draft choice for Packers G.M. Ted Thompson to turn into a solid player.

     When Thompson played "Let's Make A Deal with the Jets; that sly fox knew what he was doing.

     The deal continues to be a major "win win" for both franchises.       

     A couple weeks ago, we shared a story about Dave Sczesny, an athletic teenager who wanted to follow in his father's footsteps by donating blood.

     Dave's dad has given for thirty two years!

     But Dave didn't end up giving a gift of life; instead,he found out that his is in jeopardy.

     Dave found out that  he's anemic.

     When he went for tests, Dave and his family found out that he has bone marrow cancer.

     Dave has a rare gene; so finding a match is difficult.

     Sczesny's mother Mary carries the rare gene; she is a 5 and 10 match.

     Worth a try, of course.

     But this loving mother won't be able to help her son.

     Tests showed that Mary Ochowicz-Sczesny has breast cancer.

     I know both are thankful for the tests that may have saved their lives.

     BUT DAVE NEEDS YOUR HELP.

     If you know of a potential donor for Dave (perhaps yourself?), please share that.

     I have a contact for Mary if you are able to help.

     Feel free to contact me at tom.pipines@milwaukeewiti.com

     I humbly ask that you'll keep Dave, Mary and the Sczesny family in your prayers.    

     Thanks So Much.    

     Pacman Jones has more lives than a cat!

     It wasn't official on Thursday, but Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones said the Dallas Cornerback is being reinstated from what  NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell had called an "indefinite suspension".

     Goodell has been a good traffic cop, but he should be penalized for this move-assuming Jones, Pacman is returning.

     Adam (Pacman) Jones, you'll recall, was suspended for the entire two thousand seven season, because of multiple incidents-and I do mean MULTIPLE, while he was with the Tennessee Titans.

     On October 7, just six weeks after being reinstated, Jones got into an alcohol-related scuffle with one of his own bodyguards during a private party at an upscale Dallas hotel.  

     Adam Jones completed an alcohol treatment program in the Boston areas last month.

     While I wish the man no ill will, and hope that he is able take better care of himself and stay out of trouble---THERE HAVE TO BE CONSEQUENCES.

     Somewhere, there are youngsters who look up to Adam Jones; because they see him get away with just about anything!

     How many chances is the young man going to get-simply because he plays pro football?!

     You're going to reinstate Adam Pacman Jones?!

      Shame on you Commissioner Goodell; IT'S A JOKE!  

     If Houston Police brutalized Marvin Driver Junior, the father of Packers Receiver Donald Driver, after the elder Driver was arrested for past warrants in Houston early Monday morning (as the Driver Family contends), the officers involved should be fired and jailed themselves.

     But this is not the hour to pass judgement-as the story is developing, and HPD officials tell a different story.

     This much is certain, Donald Driver's dad inspired his son to go from being a 7th round draft pick out of Alcorn State--to a Pro Bowl NFL player.

     Marvin Driver Jr. was a good enough quarterback to get a scholarship to play at Texas A @ M.

     Marvin tossed out dreams of playing in the pros after his father (Donald's grandfather) died, to support his mother.

     Donald Driver was at the side of his father-who was in ICU at a Houston hospital-unable to speak-with some bleeding-doctors say-on the brain.

     Back in Green Bay, his Packers family doesn't need to know details.

     They just know that their teammate is hurting; so they pledge their love, support and prayers.

     Donald intends to be in New Orleans when his teammates take on the Saints on Monday night.

     Through this diffuclt period, you hope that number eighty can draw strength.

     You hope and pray also, that his father heals, and that the truth is uncovered.

     You probably could have penciled in Hartland Arrowhead and Homestead to play for the Division One High School Football Championship right after last year's title game at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.

     In that one, Tom Taraska's Warhawks brought down Dave Keel's Highlanders-who happened to be the defending champ.

     Sure enough, those unbeaten titans take on each other this Friday.

     This game could be a classic-and not jut because Jen Lada will be there to cover the game for the Fox 6 High School Blitz!  

     Those teams have everything-on both sides of the ball.

     Football factories, you say?

     Say what you will-those schools have wonderful youth football feeder programs to count on.

     But, most important, Messers Keel and Taraska-two of the finest coaches in our state-and I dare say in the country-do it the right way.

     They win on the field-they teach, care for, and develop their players off it.

     Winning's part of the deal-but each man's legacy is defined by the investment he make in his young men.

     We're fortunate to have them working with their young fellas.

     If I'm the parent of one of them, I'd feel blessed to have him play for Dave and Tom.