Nothing But Iron Part I: Three and Out? Part II: Five and Oh! Part III: Hockey Coverage By Steven R. Lagman, M.D., C.A.S.W. October 7, 2004 By now, even though we have just entered the second month of meaningful football, some of you long for the old Lambeau Field with its massive green sheets of corrugated metal, its storied history and recent decade-long winning tradition. Me too. But let’s not give up yet. I said it last week, and I will keep saying it, every single week if I have to, until it proves true: That was the last game the Packers will lose this season. I do not know the answer to the Packer's woes, but I don’t have to, because all of you do. Please send your thoughts to me and I will forward them to Mike Sherman. I am sure he is awaiting your counsel. I offer a parting discussion about Mike McKenzie. Was he really feigning injury in order to extort the Packers into trading him? No, McKenzie was not faking. I say this because what kind of able-bodied person would pretend to be hurt while still pulling a massive pay check, without doing a shred of work to justify any paycheck at all? It would have to be the slimiest, most puke-provoking, irresponsible piece of rancid skunk poop to ever limp the face of the earth. Surely, McKenzie was not that. What’s that? I hear murmurs of dissension. O.K., maybe you are right, but shame on you for referring to a professional athlete–one who is entitled to your respect–as a slimy, puke-provoking, irresponsible piece of rancid skunk poop. That is not nice. I wonder, if you were a GM, what would you have traded for the soon-to-be-healthy McKenzie? Your pop bottle cap collection? An old pair of sneakers? Styrofoam peanuts? A punter? If you were a GM, what would make you believe McKenzie won’t pull the same stunt again? Is loyalty some switch that can be flipped if the price is right? Can the same be asked of integrity? I wonder if McKenzie will succeed in New Orleans? I wouldn’t bet my pop bottle cap collection on it. On a positive note: Just when you think you have seen all his tricks, Favre, concussed and amnestic of his own brilliance, returns to the game and throws a touchdown pass on fourth down. Most of us would have been lucky to be able to crawl into the MRI scanner. Forget the season record. Let’s just watch Brett. Here’s to his safe return. Here’s to the loyalty of his fans. The Badgers passed yet another test, this time more convincingly, by beating a reasonably capable Illinois team in the Camp on Saturday. What a joy to see Anthony Davis in the backfield. His impact on what was a barely adequate offense without him, was immediate and obvious. Noteworthy was the improvement in John Stocco’s performance, which had to be buoyed by Davis’s return. Wisconsin has yet to achieve elegance, but at 5-0 (2-0) the team is in good shape to contend. Win or lose, Saturday’s trip to OSU will define this team. The Buckeyes, who have been beatable–but rarely beaten–since the first game of their so-called (BCS slam) national title season two years ago, will have no shortage of motivation after last year’s loss at Camp Randall and their loss to Northwestern last week. I was impressed by the way Wisconsin coaches handled the rivalry hype. They were quoted (I paraphrase) as saying the rivalry is based on "respect" not revenge. UW players even downplayed last year’s choking incident. Smart. Other observations: 1) Loved the UW offensive play calling. Of course one has more options with Davis in the mix. 2) Glad to see Matt Bernstein continue to get carries at tailback. He is an effective runner, and the breaks are good for Davis. Besides, it is fun to see one of the trench workers get some much-deserved glory. 3) I was impressed with the Illini offensive line. It was very difficult to apply QB pressure. That can only mean our secondary and linebackers did a pretty good job in coverage (UW lucked out with an overthrow on its only major lapse).  4)  Great run defense against credible backs.  5) You probably didn't appreciate the dryness of the game like us Tucson veterans did. 6) Tough games ahead, but achievement comes only with challenge. It is time. Hockey Coverage: According to an article in Sports Illustrated (Scorecard, Sept 6), the Stanley Cup, which you hockey fans know as a really big, really important silver trophy, was lost for 12 hours on a commercial airline flight. Apparently the Cup was released to airline personnel at the Air Canada baggage desk. As checked luggage. Yeah, I read that part twice too. I am hesitant to put my toothbrush in checked luggage for fear that my teeth will fall out before I get it back. My advice to the keepers of the Cup: Don’t do that. _____________ Nothing But Iron is an amateur sports column written for the enjoyment of those who might enjoy it. If Mike McKenzie is reading this and not enjoying it, the author recognizes that Mr. McKenzie, even with a debilitating hamstring injury, could cause great bodily injury to the author without exerting a great deal of effort, which is an endeavor that Mr. McKenzie knows well. Should he choose to do so, he should visit the author at his barricaded home in a remote, polar-bear infested area 180 miles north of Fairbanks, Alaska. ©2004 DrTM Enterprises. All rights reserved.