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I find it ironic that Packers general manager Ted Thompson has scrapped his build the team through youth philosophy with the return of veteran offensive lineman Mark Tauscher and running back Ahman Green.  Two popular players during their previous stints with Green Bay.  Especially on the o-line, you need veteran experience.  The Packers offensive line was never the same after they let Mike Wahle and Marco Rivera leave through free agency.  I know that I have harped about the offensive line in past blogs, but until Green Bay commits to having veterans on the line, the health of quarterback Aaron Rodgers will be in jeopardy.  As for bringing back Ahman Green, I have no problem with that, but again, TT did a poor job evaluating his talent in the backfield.  What they ever saw in Brandon Jackson or De Shawn Wynn is puzzling.  Neither RB has done much of anything, and Ryan Grant does not appear to be the same running back that we saw two years ago. 

When I covered the WIAA boys state basketball tournament earlier this year, I had a chance to watch Madison Memorial's Vander Blue play in person.  Yes, I was extremely impressed with this young man's athleticism and his ability to do it all.  Blue de-committed from his verbal agreement to play at Wisconsin soon after the tournament, and as a Marquette grad, I thought to myself, MU coach Buzz Williams would be crazy not to pursue Vander.  Buzz did and last weekend Vander Blue verbally committed to play for the Golden Eagles in 2010.   A recruiting coup for Marquette, which plays in the rugged Big East.  The Golden Eagles need to get more kids like Blue if they hope to remain competitive with the likes of UConn, Villanova, Louisville, and West Virginia.   Blue's game is better suited for the Big East, not the Big Ten.  I am not going to get lured into which conference is better, the Big East or the Big Ten because they are both great conferences.   For anyone to say that the Big East is far superior than the Big Ten is kidding themselves.  Look what Michigan State did last year under Tom Izzo.  He might be the best coach in the country.  Bo Ryan is pretty darn good as well.  Three Big Ten titles in eight years.  That speaks for itself.  So to hear other journalists question Coach Ryan's lack of ability to lure the top players to Wisconsin is laughable.  How many kids come to Madison from outside the state?   Certainly not many, but Bo only needs kids that will fit into his system.  His track record speaks for itself.  The Vander Blue commitment to Marquette is simply a kid changing his mind, nothing more. 

Can Rick Peterson cure the Milwaukee Brewers pitching staff woes?  Who knows, but I've always believed that you have to have talent.  Maybe Peterson will be a miracle worker, but the pitchers he inherits outside Yovani Gallardo are deficient in talent.  Dave Bush, Jeff Suppan, Manny Parra and company are not front of the line starting pitchers.  They are a collection of number 4 and 5 starters, and the Brewers need some studs.  Apparently, Milwaukee's farm system is bare which means general manager Doug Melvin will need to go the trade route.  If Melvin is unwilling to trade either Prince Fielder or Ryan Braun this off-season, then it appears likely that J.J. Hardy, Corey Hart, and Mat Gamel are the only true trading pieces the Brewers have.  The problem, none of those three will command a #1 or #2 starting pitcher.  Maybe the Brewers will package two of those players together to make a deal, but realistically, the Brewers would have to deal Fielder or Braun to get a top of the line hurler.  As for Rick Peterson, good luck!

Finally, the WIAA fall tournaments have arrived and it has been another enjoyable sports season.  It truly is my favorite time of year with the start of the football playoffs set to begin next week.  We already had our first snowfall which leads us to a truly exciting next month.