1/10/23 Hometown Broadcasting Sports Tuesday
10 January 2023 Sports
Tuesday Sports
From Wayne Mausser
The Packers missed the playoffs for the first time in the Matt LaFleur era after a 20-16 defeat at the hands of the Lions on Sunday. Now, as they shift into offseason, there are plenty of questions about whether or not that could have been the last game for Aarron Rodgers as a Packer.
“It’s a feeling. Do I feel like I have anything left to prove to myself? Do I want to go back and gear up for another grind? Or is it time? Is time to step away? Is it time for another voice to be leading this team? I think I need to get away and contemplate those things. Those are real to me. I have a lot of pride in what I’ve accomplished in this league, but I’m also a realist, and I understand where we’re at as a team. We’re a young team; there could be some changes with some of the older guys, and it could be time to step away. But I could take some time and say hell no, man, I need to get back out there and go on another run,” said Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers is coming off one of his worst seasons statistically. Throwing just 26 touchdowns with 12 interceptions in 2022. This after back-to-back MVP campaigns for Rodgers.
The future of Green Bay’s star quarterback was a topic of conversation in the locker room on Monday as players got set to take off for the offseason. That includes with some of the players that know him best on a personal level. That includes tackle David Bakhtiari, who said he will not push Rodgers in either direction but is here for his friend and quarterback.
“Obviously I hope not. And if it is, I’ve cherished every moment with him, loved it. He’s a brother to me. We’ll see. I’m not closing the door on anything until I see that man close the door,” said tackle David Bakhtiari.
Rodgers said on Sunday after the game the team may only be a couple players away from contending, and those may already be on the roster. One of the young players that came on as a rookie this year was wide receiver Christian Watson. The second round pick finished with 611 yards and seven touchdowns in his first season with Green Bay.
“I’m extremely thankful to have been able to learn from him, grow with him. I think he pushed me to be a better player, better man each and everyday. I’m thankful for the opportunity if it is the last opportunity or going forward I’m just thankful I got to learn from such an extraordinary athlete,” said wide receiver Christian Watson.
Meanwhile, coach Matt LaFleur on Monday gave defensive coordinator Joe Barry a vote of confidence and also talked about considering the return of former offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, who was fired by the Denver Broncos last month.
I think I’ve definitely entertained all that,” LaFleur said Monday. “I think you can never have enough great coaches, and certainly you guys know how I feel about Nathaniel and the job he did here. But again, just getting started into the evaluation phase. I did talk to him after he got let go in Denver. I know that he needs some family time as well.”
LaFleur also mentioned that he’s considering giving offensive playcalling up, so he can be more involved in other aspects of the team, like an in consistent defenee and a lack of discipline that showed up in the Lions game Sunday. The Packers finished the year at 8-9.
Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Quay Walker has apologized for pushing a Detroit athletic trainer during Sunday night’s loss to the Lions. Walker, a rookie, apologized in a series of Tweets Monday morning. He spoke to reporters as the team cleaned out their lockers and said he had spoken to the trainer and personally apologized. The shove happened as the Lions’ staffers were tending to an injured player.
“I want to apologize publicly about what happened Sunday night. I reacted off of my emotions again and take full responsibility of making another stupid decision. Since then I’ve questioned myself on why did I do what I did when the trainer was doing his job!! I was wrong!!”
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 22 points and 10 rebounds, and the Milwaukee Bucks used 3-point shooting to wipe out a 17-point deficit in the second half and beat the New York Knicks 111-107 on Monday night.
Joe Ingles added a season-high 17 points and Brook Lopez also scored 17 for the Bucks, who made 12 3-pointers after falling behind 70-53 with five minutes remaining in the third quarter.
Jalen Brunson had a career-high 44 points and seven assists for the Knicks, who had their four-game win streak halted. Julius Randle had 25 points, 16 rebounds and five assists, but was just 1 for 12 from 3-point range.
The Knicks were hoping to continue streaking to the midpoint of their schedule, having followed an eight-game winning streak and a five-game skid with four straight victories. They fell to 22-19.
The Badgers are back in action tonight hosting Michigan State. Wisconsin is coming off a 79-69 loss at Illinois on Saturday, dropping to 11-3 overall and 3-1 in the Big Ten. The Spartans are 11-4 overall and 3-1 in conference play.
The No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs asserted their sheer dominance from the onset and sucked the storybook ending right out from under No. 3 TCU with a 65-7 win in the College Football Playoff National Championship at SoFi Stadium on Monday night. It was Georgia’s second straight National Championship.
Boys (Mon.)
Weyauwega-Fremont 64, Rosholt 34
Amherst 67, Westfield 63
Girls (Monday)
Ripon 42, Princeton/Green Lake 31-Karsyn Bauman led the Tigers with 10 points while Ellen Rost had 9. Ava Kuklinski led the Lady Tigersharks with 9 points. Ripon improves to 6-6 overall while Princeton/Green Lake drops to 2-11.
Boys Basketball (Tues.)
Ripon at Wautom-Tipoff at 7:15 on AM 1600/93.1FM, WRPN.
Adams-Friendship at Berlin
Winneconne at New London
North Fond du Lac at Laconia
Lomira at Omro
Mayville at St. Mary’s Springs
Oshkosh West at Fond du Lac
Oshkosh North at Appleton West
Freedom at Marinette
Luxemburg-Casco at Waupaca
Wisconsin Dells at Westby
Central Wisconsin Christian at Lourdes Academy
Oakfield at Hustisford
Valley Christian at Horicon
Wayland Academy at Palmrya-Eagle
Markesan at Randolph
Montello at Princeton/Green Lake
Pardeeville at Dr. Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy
Girls (Tues.)
Ripon at Lomira
Sussex Hamilton at Waupun
Winneconne at Clintonville
Menominee Indian at Weyauwega-Fremont
Tri-County at Port Edwards
Pittsville at Wild Rose
Fond du Lac at Oshkosh West
Appleton West at Oshkosh North
Freedom at Kewaskum
Waupaca at Nekoosa
Wautoma at Portage
Wisconsin Dells at River Valley
Adams-Friendship at Hillsboro
Mauston at Tomah
Central Wisconsin Christian at Lourdes Academy
Dodgeland at Pardeeville
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