Welcome to Saturday Scorecard. Before we get to the notes, here is the latest up-to-the-minute injury report:
The veteran snow blower is on the disabled list (carburetor) and is expected to be sidelined three to four weeks.
The backup shovel received heavy action the past few days and is holding up OK.
A rookie snow blower has been summoned and is gassed and ready for action.
On to the topics of the day...
Familiar face: The discussion in the office the other day centered on the greatest Wisconsin sports rivalries. It was, of course, inspired by what promises to be a compelling matchup between Marquette and Wisconsin (tip-off is 5 p.m. tonight at the Kohl Center and the game will be broadcast on ESPN2).
One of the rivalries mentioned was forgotten in recent years, but will be rekindled Sunday at Lambeau Field: Packers quarterback Brett Favre vs. Raiders defensive tackle Warren Sapp.
These ancient warriors (Favre is 38, Sapp is 35) had some memorable battles during the 1990s when Sapp was with Tampa Bay.
"It's going to be good," Sapp said this week during a conference call with state reporters. "I've gone a couple years without seeing the fella, so it's going to be nice to chase him around a little."
Favre, who was sidelined by injuries to his right elbow and left shoulder during the Packers' loss to Dallas, said Sapp looks ""a little bigger" but added "he's still as quick as ever."
Sapp's rivalry with Favre, which was marked by trash-talking and occasional shoving and screaming, seems a bit "old school" these days.
"These '80s babies have taken over the game, and it's just a different game now," Sapp said. "That was something special."
Packers fans generally liked and respected Sapp, much in the same manner that Bucks fans used to treat Charles Barkley, but the dynamic changed in 2002.
After a Favre interception, Sapp unleashed a vicious blindside hit on Green Bay tackle Chad Clifton, who suffered career-threatening injuries. Mike Sherman, then the Packers' coach, confronted Sapp on the field after the game.
Sapp responded by telling Sherman "put a jersey on."
Asked about the incident this week, Sapp said: "Well, Mike ain't there anymore, so that might be a better situation for everybody involved."
Party time? The Packers can clinch the NFC North title with a victory or a tie against the Raiders or a loss/tie by Detroit, which is hosting Dallas.
The Packers will clinch a playoff berth if Arizona loses or ties.
It won't be hard to keep the champagne cold.
Mystery men: Wasn't it just a few weeks ago that the Bucks were playing cohesive, inspired and winning basketball? Their loss Friday night at Seattle was their sixth in seven games. The individual pieces seem OK, but something isn't clicking.
As it happens, Jeff Cirillo is looking for work.
Cirillo, who finished last season with Arizona, is a free agent and would love to come back to Milwaukee for a fourth time to reprise his reserve role with the team he broke in with back in 1994.
"The Brewers are my first choice," said Cirillo, who likely will receive an offer from Arizona. "I wasn't with the Diamondbacks very long, but I had a great time and it was exciting being in the playoffs. I could definitely see myself going back there, but I love playing in Milwaukee. I have a lot of friends on that team and in the organization. I love playing for Ned (Yost, the manager).
"At this point in my career, I want to be in a city that is comfortable and with a team that has a chance to win," Cirillo said from his home in Seattle. "Milwaukee has both of those. It would be great to come back."
Faced with a desire to spend time with his wife and three sons, Cirillo considered retiring last winter before signing a one-year, $1.5 million deal with Minnesota. (The D-Backs claimed him on waivers for the stretch run).
"It's tough being away so much," he said. "I've been bringing the boys on road trips a lot and that can be disruptive. What I'd like to do now is get a house wherever I play and have the boys home-schooled so that they can stay with me all the time. I think that's the way to go."
Cirillo is operating without the help of an agent. That may make him attractive to some GMs, but could it hurt in terms of exposure?
"I don't know," he said. "I think, for GMs, having an agent come to you is like having a salesman come to your house. If someone is constantly trying to sell you something, eventually you just say 'Yeah, whatever. Go away.' I don't know how it's going to play out. I just know that I feel good and I still want to play."
Bright idea: The folks who run college football aren't exactly known as innovators. But, the Big Ten presidents deserve kudos for allowing their schools to place a bye week into the schedule.
The bye week disappeared when the league went to a 12-game schedule in 2006. The Badgers could end up playing the Saturday after Thanksgiving, but the bye week will allow injured players to heal and the extended season could help with BCS standings.
Call to arms: Just when it appeared that David Riske was going to be the only bullpen arm added during the winter meetings, the Brewers pulled a trade with Pittsburgh for Salomon Torres.
Torres didn't throw well last season, but he's durable and has experience as a closer.
Getting him for two minor leaguers (Marino Salas and Kevin Roberts) was a classic Melvin move. If Torres turns out to be as productive as guys like Dan Kolb, Derrick Turnbow, etc., it could be a good move.
Quick hits: The Wave won its fourth game in a row Friday night, beating Philadelphia at U.S. Cellular Arena ... The other tenant of "The Cell" isn't faring as well. The Milwaukee Panthers got pounded by Marquette and Illinois-Chicago in the past week and face Loyola tonight ... Barry Bonds pleaded not guilty on perjury charges Friday. Look for the plot to thicken when the Mitchell Report is released, possibly on Thursday. There will be some big names on it.
Any current or former Brewers? We'll see ... Brewers infielder Craig Counsell will take part in the celebrity edition of "The Nutcracker."
Check OnMilwaukee.com later this month for details... Whom do you like in the battle of unsung running backs -- Oakland's Justin Fargas or Green Bay's Ryan Grant? While we're at it, whom do you like for the Heisman and the Mayweather-Hatton bout? Think about those while we gear up for more snow removal duty.
Host of “The Drew Olson Show,” which airs 1-3 p.m. weekdays on The Big 902. Sidekick on “The Mike Heller Show,” airing weekdays on The Big 920 and a statewide network including stations in Madison, Appleton and Wausau. Co-author of Bill Schroeder’s “If These Walls Could Talk: Milwaukee Brewers” on Triumph Books. Co-host of “Big 12 Sports Saturday,” which airs Saturdays during football season on WISN-12. Former senior editor at OnMilwaukee.com. Former reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
