MNF Running Live Blog: Packers @ Saints

There WILL be a post up later today. Not a lot of comments from folks this week so it won't take long. Completely understand with the holiday week and everything, you guys (myself included) had other things to do. Here are my picks for the week: TEN, DAL, PHI, BUF, CIN, IND, GB, DEN, MIA, NO, NYG, ATL, NE, OAK, MIN, JAX

Trying something new and doing a live running blog for the Monday Night Football Game. Here is how you can participate.

1) Just write a comment at the END OF THE POST.

2) Send me an IM on AOL. My screen name is lflo1223. Do work.

3) Send me a text. Please limit this to three per person. I am approaching my limit for texts in one month. Thanks for caring.

4) Call me. Please do this as a last resort, but if you really want to get involved and have used all of your texts, call the old cellular.

We will be getting ready to begin around 8 PM EST.

The Game - Green Bay Packers @ New Orleans Saints

The Line - Saints by 2.5

The Pick - Saints

The Prediction - New Orleans Saints 34 - Green Bay Packers 27

And here we go.

11:47 - And that is all she wrote for the game as the Saints take care of business, improving to 6-5 on the year and staying in the NFC Wild Card picture. Final Score Saints 51, Packers 29. Thanks to Barnes, Devin, Lucius and Hunt for playing along. We had Rockband, John Joseph Harrington, Lance Moore, Ricky Williams, Mark Brunell and numerous others. That's the beauty of running blogs, you never know where it is going to take you. Until next time, "read it, roll it, hole it." Peace Be The Journey.

11:44 - Mark Brunell is now in handing the ball off for the Saints. John Joseph Harrington is on the sideline stretching. You just never know.

11:40 - So what should be the first game KOA should play at Detroit tomorrow? Craps, blackjack or roulette? Leaning towards craps, but don't know enough of the rules. But, I know blackjack rules, and suck at it. So maybe it's good that I don't know the rules. Any thoughts??

11:35 - And people wonder why we are still here. Aaron Rodgers throws his third INT, and to make matters worse JJ Harrington is trying to console him with words of wisdom, from across the sideline. Ouch, that hurts more than any sack.

11:31 - And we've come full circle, as the MNF crew talks more about Brett Favre. This needs to stop. The choice was made, and that was that. The comparisons are unfair to Rodgers.

11:26 - Jumped the gun a bit, the Saints tried to go for two, didn't get it, and now the score is 51-29 Saints. Those who had the 80 Over/Under total points are fuming right now.

11:23 - Barnes - "There's the stop, now if they just didn't onside kick the ball like idiots." Apparently Barnes missed the Saints going for it on fourth down, getting it, and then having Pierre Thomas run 30 yards for a TD. 52-29 Saints. Ball game.

11:20 - Barnes - "This game is not over by any means." Well, the Saints haven't punted since the 1st quarter, so unless the Packers can get a stop, this game IS over.

11:18 - Aaron Rodgers is not done either as he throws a TD pass which cuts the lead to 45-27. Packers choose to go for two, and get it, making this a two-score game. 45-29 Saints.

11:15 - Two points for Walt Coleman taking away the "illegal" hit penalty on one of the Saints cornerbacks. That doesn't happen everyday. But job well done.

11:12 - Just saw a Beyonce commercial wanting me to "upgrade" something. Anything for you BK. In related news, has anyone seen that SNL skit with her and Justin Timberlake. It's worth your time. Speaking of dancers, Sedrick Ellis (after sacking Aaron Rodgers) has some pretty good moves.

11:09 - Text from Kevin - "Hot girl in our group immediately gets my vote when I tell her I'm a Browns fan, and she replies with at least you're not a Lions fan." Hunt hanging out with a hot girl?? What is this opposite day??

11:08 - Barnes - "Is it me or does Jim Carrey's 'Yes Man' look just like 'Liar Liar' but with a different premise?" Well Barnes, the original title, "Liar Liar Two" was taken by an obscure rap duo several years back.

11:03 - With the game out of hand, the question now remains, why are we still here? Well, we are waiting for a possible John Joseph Harrington appearance or a Lance Moore TD pass. Barnes is on the same page as KOA, "So wait, the Saints have Mark Brunell and John Joseph Harrington on the bench? Wow, talk about washed-up QB central. Saints season would be toast if Brees goes down to injury." No confidence in JJ Harrington Barnes? Come on, we've seen what he can do. Anything is possible. Anything.

11:02 - Barnes - "Charles Woodson = Heisman Trophy winner. Marques Colston = 7th round pick. Funny how the real talent shows up in the pro game." Did you know that Woodson has played 11 years in the pros?? That's insane. Getting old sucks.

10:59 - That's all she wrote for the Packers. Drew Brees connects with Marques Colston for his second 70-yard TD pass of the night. 45-21 Saints, and congrats to those who picked New Orleans to cover. You are the winners. And Charles Woodson is the loser.

10:57 - Packers can not capitalize on the Saints turnover and are forced to punt the ball. A tad more than four minutes left in the 3rd quarter. One more TD by the Saints and this thing is over. Just don't let Lance Moore throw it.

10:53 - Barnes - "Lance Moore is no Bruce Gradkowski." I wonder what Gradkowski is up to tonight. Probably sitting around with some friends wondering how many cheeseburgers Tom Amstultz can fit into his mouth. Over/under 13.

10:52 - Barnes - "I'm no expert but I think the game is slipping away from the packers." And just when I was about to agree with that assessment, Lance Moore THROWS an INT. Yep, that's right, Moore THROWS an INT. God I love football.

10:51 - Aaron Rodgers is slowly becoming Aaron "Throw It" Rodgers, as he gets picked off for the second time in the half. This one is starting to get out of hand.

10:45 - Dalton Hilliard just cracked open a Keystone as Deuce scores his 54th TD as a Saint, passing Hilliard on the all-time career Saints record. More importantly, the Saints go up 38-21, and I came up with Ricky Williams as a former Saints running-back. Can anyone top that??

10:43 - Brett Fav ... um, Aaron Rodgers throws a pick, and the Saints return it to Green Bay's three yard line. Cue up Deuce, the Saints are about ready to go up 17.

10:42 - Having trouble thinking of a past Saints running back. Did some research, and could only come up with George Rogers from 1981.

10:40 - And we have our first John Joseph Harrington sighting!! Boy wouldn't the Lions like to have him back. Sadly, I think they would.

10:37 - Hey Billy you're so fine, you're so fine you blow my mind, hey Billy! Billy Miller catches his first touchdown of the year as AJ Hawk helplessly looks on. Saints now go up 31-21. Biggest lead of the game thus far.

10:34 - Apparently Deuce McCallister is Mr. Saint. He owns all the Saints rushing records. Somewhere George Rogers (1981) is smiling.

10:31 - Saints pick up a 4th down and inches from around mid-field on their first drive of the 2nd half. We would like to wish Barnes a safe drive home from work, he will be back with us soon.

10:18 - Perfect timing, as we get back from Wendy's just as the third quarter begins. Still have to eat my Baconater, so hold tight. Over/under 7 minutes.

10:04 - Going to take a 20 minute break for half-time, thanks to Devin, Barnes, Lucius and Kevin for joining. This has been a fun game to watch. We will be back just before the start of the 2nd half.

10:02 - 30 yard field-goal by the Saints puts them up 24-21, and has them covering going into half. So far so good.

9:57 - Saints get a great kick-off return as N.O is trying to score their 4th TD in the 1st half. Only 32 yards to go. Lance Moore is waiting.

9:56 - Barnes - "Just waiting for my sports director to let me go home. anytime now ..." Does he know you are Matt Barnes and that you own many leather bound books?

9:54 - Aaron Rodgers runs 14 yards for a TD and this game is now tied at 21 for those now scoring at home. This is what the Oklahoma-Texas Tech game SHOULD have looked like.

9:52 - Barnes - "So N.O. is winning with no bush and zero catches from colston? God, I love watching this team play football." Drew Brees is fun to watch. Joe Tiller did well.

9:50 - This just in, L.T. is still fast, but only on television commercials. And the Packers haven't scored yet, the two minute warning threw us for a loop. Game still 21-14 Saints. For now.

9:49 - Points are starting to blend together at this point, but we think the Packers just scored a TD to tie this game at 21. And as for Barnes comments, I will be posting EVERY comment, because that's how KOA rolls. We appreciate.

9:47 - Barnes - "Gus is doing the OSU bball game right now on Big Ten Network. That's where he should be. Gus is a basketball kind of guy. I like him in whatever he does but bball is his best by far. You don't hafta post all my comments. I'm gonna do it often." And we have our second, that's what she said.

9:45 - Okay, back to the game. The Packers are in position to score yet again, as they are across mid-field. They might as well play seven-on-seven at this point. I don't even remember seeing a punt in more than an hour.

9:44 - Barnes - "Just wanna let you know that my commercial ran during MNF back in columbus. as if MNF wasn't must-see TV already huh?" This is simply a case of Barnes Being Barnes.

9:42 - And speaking of Gus Johnson, how great was Slamball with Gus announcing?? It was like that sport was created with Gus's announcing in mind. Every play was tailored for him. "Riiiiiiise and Fiiiiiire."

9:40 - Barnes - "Mike Tirico (Syracuse grad) is by far the best NFL announcer out there right now. Notice after every commercial, he has a great joke. Not Mitch Hedberg funny but still, brings a chuckle." Gus Johnson is going to be mad Barnes, very mad.

9:38 - Barnes - "Thats not including the ATS league, in which i enjoy my last place spot." Hey, as Billy Bob said in Bad Santa, 'they can't all be winners kid."

9;37 - Barnes - "I am loving Lance Moore right now. single-handedly bringing me back in two fantasy leagues." Everyone wins with Lance Moore.

9:36 - Lance Moore must have gotten my text messages earlier in the day, as he scores his second TD of the game and puts the Saints back up 21-14. Lance Armstrong who???

9:35 - Devin and I discuss how Charles Woodson won the Heisman Award over Peyton Manning. Our conclusion, the Heisman is not a real award when Eric Crouch can win it.

9:32 - "Alright, game back on here in Augusta. Half the fun of MNF is making fun of the announcers." Barnes is back in action. KOA designates him Announcer Awareness Man. Do work.

9:30 - Lance Moore makes a terrific catch as he is going for the Skywalker MVP award tonight. Next play goes to Jeremy Shockey. This just in, the Saints are good on offense.

9:26 - Rodgers continues his Red Zone brilliance and fires a pass to Greg Jennings which ties this game at 14. Favre who??

9:20 - "So how about Notre Dame losing to Syracuse? (Sorry, the bball game made me think of it). Think Charlie Weis is gonna lose his job? Would be fitting if he and Romeo lost their jobs in the same year." So true Barnes. Devin wonders the potential those two could have making a fast-food commercial. To answer your question Barnes, yes I think he is gone UNLESS they beat USC or maybe a bowl win. But USC gets priority.

9:18 - You can just sense that this is going to be a shoot-out as Rodgers has the Packers driving right back. First one to 50 wins.

9:12 - Saints Running Back not named Reggie Bush scores a TD and the Saints are looking good. They go up 14-7 and everything is right in the world, thus far. Yes We Can.

9:11 - So three ATS players are headed up to Detroit for the casino tomorrow evening. Grothaus, D-Frank and myself. Over/Under $500 lost as a group. And remember, Grothaus has a problem. Drinking + Gambling = Grothaus doing his best Charles Barkley impersonation.

9:09 - And Devin Frank joins us from the KOA studio headquarters, aka my living room. Should be fun. Also, word verification is fixed so Barnes can quit bitching.

9:04 - Barnes reminds me about Lance Armstrong. But Moore is from Toledo, so we have that Ohio thing going.

9:02 - And the third option of joining along with this blog is complete as Barnes provides the first comment. "So my sports director just walked in and changed the channel from MNF to syracuse/florida. And it's Dickie V of coure. Shoot me." Barnes hates Dickie V. The only thing they have in common is that they are the top two Tampa Bay Rays fans.

9:00 - What a way to start the second hour!!! Lance Moore goes 70 yards on a pass from Drew Brees and this game is tied. Moore just became my favorite Lance of all-time with that play. Lance Bass is not pleased.

8:56 - Another IM, this one from Kevin Hunt. The short version is that Bart Borer is doing puzzles with his roommate. Currently they are working on a 1000 piece puzzle of a moose. In related news, Kevin lucked out that the Chicago Bears covered yesterday, meaning he does not have to ask a girl to go moose-hunting. Hunt says that it doesn't matter because he has no game (like the Saints thus far). To spend one day in Hunt's shoes would be exhausting.

8:54 - Packers go seven plays, cover a short field and take the early 7-0 lead. Have a strange feeling that won't be the last touchdown.

8:53 - TK beats me to the hockey-line shifting reference as the Saints get a break when the Packers substitute players but don't allow for N.O to do the same.

8:51 - Ryan Grant does his best Ahman Green impersonation, and the Packers are on the verge of taking the early lead.

8:48 - "We'll ease into it," said Mike Tirico about the lack of scoring as the Saints promptly go three and out as well. And we have our first of many, that's what she said.

8:46 - First text courtesy of Matt Barnes. "Bourbon Street definitely equals drinkability." He would know, I wouldn't ... yet.

8:45 - Three and out for the Packers. I'm sensing a whitewash.

8:41 - Counting the Brett Favre references. One play, three references.

8:39 - Hank Williams Junior. Giddy up.

8:37 - If the Saints can get the cover, yours truly will go 11-5 in the ATS pick 'em and be in great position for a run towards Lucius. Winning that in back-to-back year might just be my biggest accomplishment if it goes down.

8:35 - I'm a big fan of Tony Kornheiser's coaching-link package he does before the game. It's along the lines of six degrees of separation. I can't get enough of it.

8:28 - Looks like it's me, Stuart Scott and Keyshawn Johnson taking the Saints. Trying to come up with a name for us three. Could use some help. All I got is the Funky Bunch so far. As Polito would simply say, "weak."

8:19 - God Bless Family Guy. This ESPN pregame was torture, so we flipped it over to TBS for some much needed comical relief.

8:12 - Reggie Bush and Kim Kardashian with Bobby McCray acting as the third wheel?? Thank you ESPN, for some awful television. The only thing that could have saved that segment would have been Kenny Mayne.

8:10 - Oh how have I missed Emmitt Smith. Where has he been all my life? In related news, if Steve Young hasn't killed himself yet, it will never happen.

8:08 - And we have our first IM thanks to Alex Lucius. "ACDC live for Rockband is quite possibly the hardest game ever to sing." This is why I heart Lucius. What a perfect way to start.

8:05 - Apparently Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre used to play on the same team. No need for this much discussion. What's done is done. Favre is with the Jets and Rodgers is with the Packers. Both are playing well.

8:02 PM - Big John thinks the Packers are going to win, while yours truly is backing the Saints. Surprised to see that this is their first actual HOME game in six weeks! Six weeks?!? How does that happen? Oh yeah, that whole London debacle counted as a home game. What a joke.

8:00 PM - A little curious to see how this all plays out. Thankful to the Notre Dame Basketball squad for thumping Indiana an hour ago. Now they have Texas tomorrow in the semi-finals of the Maui Invitational. For a short period I almost forgot that the Irish football team lost to Syracuse and that the Cleveland Browns are a complete mess of an organization.

7:59 PM - The C'Mon Man segment on Monday Night Countdown shows good highlights, but possess too much enthusiasm from the likes of Chris Berman, Mike Ditka and the rest of 'em.