Ted Thompson Validated

Once again Brett Favre has validated Ted Thompson's decision to move on without him. Last year he did it by throwing 22 picks for the Jets, and refusing to sit when his arm was so bad he couldn't hit easy throws.

Tonight, once again, he threw away his teams chance at a Super Bowl with an ill advised pass at the worst possible moment in the Conference Championship. It's deja vu all over again. The good thing, he did it to the Vikings this time. The better thing, he played an entire season looking like anyone but the guy who tosses away big games, only to rip their hearts out tonight.

Before the game he said he knew what he was doing after this year, but wouldn't say. After the game he wouldn't talk to reporters. But Jay Glazer noted that "the entire Vikings locker room" believes that Favre is done.

If he wasn't before the game, I'm pretty sure he was after.

Bye Bye Brett. Enjoy the tractor.

Read The Full Post!

My Monday Dream...

Next Monday is many things. Most importantly, my 25th anniversary. Hey, Lovely Wife, I don't know how you put up with me for this many years, but thank you!!!!!!!

We've already celebrated with a trip to the gulf coast. And we'll be visiting the kid in Ohio over the weekend, driving home Monday.

Monday Night, though, is something big. Packers vs. Vikings,with Brent Farve wearing Purple...Oh, I spelled his name wrong, sorry, he hasn't been around here in a while, I forgot.

Anyway, the obvious dream is Green Bay winning 35-0, with Farve Favre throwing 6 picks like he did against the Rams one time.

But, if Minnesota were to win, I'd rather see BF toss a few picks that go for TD's, then get hurt trying to throw a cheap crack back block like he did in preseason (karma), and have Tavaris Jackson lead the comeback for Minnesota. That would be funny as hell.

BTW, for the folks who keep pointing out his pass to Greg Lewis to win the game Sunday, keep in mind that if it weren't for the alligator arms of a San Franciso cornerback two plays before, when Favre hit him in the numbers with a sure pick, the game would have been over. Luck won that game, not Favre. But that happens a lot in the NFL.

Read The Full Post!

No Love

Poor Brent Farve, oops Brett Favre, he's getting no love from the media these days, except the guys in Minnesota.

It seems they are spending as much time on the fact that he's had one really good season and a bunch of subpar one's in the last 4 years. They keep talking about his still ailing shoulder (rotator cuff) and will it hold up; and his lack of off season conditioning, and the effect of that on a near 40 year old body. They even question is he's a big game QB worth having anymore; since 2001 the answer would have to be no, many have done much better.

And of course, they've been pretty tough on him as a person. Headlines like "Favre takes self-centered behavior to a new extreme", "The Ego Has Landed, and "The World According to Favre" are all over the papers and web.

Fans seem to be falling into three groups. The one's who are truly pissed he went to Minnesota and take it as a personal slap to the Packers. When he went to New York there was anger, and some forgiveness. But going to the teams second biggest rival has gotten them in an angry, burn him in efigy mood. I even suggested such a thing for a purple number 4 jersey.

Favre tried to explain that away a few months ago, saying no one wanted Vince Lombardi dead after he went to the Redskins. Of course Vince didn't try and destroy the organization first, and the 'skins weren't one of the Packers biggest rivals. Had he decided Detroit or Chicago was the place to be, Vince would have gotten just as big an earful.

The best suggestion from that group has been to give the back up punter #4.

The second group are the 1970's Elvis fans. If you are my age you remember them, even though he was fat, out of shape, looked ridiculous in his outfits and not up to his old standards, they'd still pay to see him, and women would still try and get a scarf from him. Never mind that the scarf was wet with sweat and nasty, it was Elvis. Around the same time those women's husbands were probably convinced Joe Namath could take the Ram's to a Super Bowl with shot knees and a bad arm.

In Favre's case these folks are stuck on the fact he's a 3 time MVP, never mind that run ended a dozen years ago, went to two Super Bowls (again, a dozen years ago), and was late game magic, which hasn't been very true in the last seven seasons.

They are the folks who call Aaron Rodgers a bust, even though he had a better statisical year last year than Favre. In fact, Favre has had a year as statistally as good as Rodgers 2008 campaign twice in the last dozen years. Maybe that's why Ted Thompson wasn't willing to get on his knees and beg him to come back for 2008.

Then there are the train wreck folks, they are going to watch just to see what happens. Most probably don't care, and with the exception of October 5th and November 1st, may not even watch him play. They just want to see what happens when he meets the Packers for the first time, and shows up in Lambeau.

I suggested to the wife that we host a Packers Vikings game party on October 5th, but she didn't think so. Something about our 25th anniversary being that day. Guess I should check the calendar.

I think Brett will make it an interesting year, one way or another. Minnesota is already happy wiht the signing, even if he never makes it to the field. They sold 3,000 season tickets yesterday. But how will the fans, and media up there treat him if he turns out not to be the savior? New York's media didn't give him the kid glove treatment last year when it was obvious he was hurting but insisted on playing.

A trip to the playoffs won't be enough in Minnesota. They did that last year with Tavaris Jackson and Gus Ferrotte at quarterback.

Read The Full Post!

Funny Poll Numbers

To show the state of mind of Packer's fans over the Brett Favre saga, Sportsbubbler.com, a Wisconsin sports site, put up this poll:

Which one of the following would you rather see?

Come home and find your wife in bed with the snowblower repairman
51.82 %

See Brett Favre in a Vikings uniform on Sept. 8 beat the Packers
48.18 %

Either there are a lot of kinky Packer fan's out there, or too many fans have serious man crushes on Brett Favre. Either way, that's a disturbing set of poll numbers.

Read The Full Post!

Screw Brett Favre

I've been a huge Brett Favre fan for years. Do a search on my blog, and you'll find numerous entries about him.

However, the retire/unretire, the GM hates me crap has to go. So do you, Mr. Favre. Sorry, but screw you Brett. You've gotten a lot of passes for a lot (record number) of bad passes over the years, but no pass this time.

You retired, then a few weeks later said you were changing your mind. Then a few days later changed it again. Then a few days later were asked if you wanted to change it yet again, and you said no. So the team moved on, they drafted two good college quarterbacks, and retooled the playbook for successor. They spent months of mini camps and organized team activities working on the newly retooled offense. Then you decide you want to come back, maybe. Not only that, but the team should hand you the job back, switch everything to how it used to be to accommodate you.

Even when you made the (kind of) decision to come back, you weren't man enough to come out an say it yourself. You had your mommy, agent, and brother, talking for you. When you finally do come out and open your own mouth it's to Greta Van Susteren? I'm pretty sure it wasn't to real sports journalist because one of those might have called bullshit on your antics instead of tossing softball questions with no follow up.

So what does the team do, carry 4 quarterbacks on the roster this year, instead of the two last year? Who gets cut to make room for you, in case you decide you actually want to play, for real?

I'm willing to admit, you probably would give Green Bay the best chance to win this year as QB, but you know what, I don't care. Football is the ultimate team sport, and over the last 4 or so months, you quit being a team player. You've turned into the guy from the old Bud Light commercials who when told there's no "I" in team, said "No, but you can spell ME".

Personally, I hope you end up on the Falcons, or Dolphins, a team with no weapons, no line, and no hope. That's where you belong this year, wallowing in the regret of a horrible season, with a horrible team. That's what should happen to selfish, self centered guys.

Read The Full Post!

Best Line of the Week

Going through all stuff I've read this week, and listened to, Charlie Sykes from 620 WTMJ radio win's the "Best Line of the Week" award.

When he did his 7:30 teaser for his show the other morning, he found a way to mix the Wisconsin grief over Brett Favre's retirement and politics.

He commented that since Hillary Clinton's "experience" as first lady has made her ready to be the President then naturally Deanna Favre will be the starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers this fall.

If you need a read about Hillary's "experience" give this one at Below the Beltway a shot. It's about her recent comments on helping bring peace to Northern Ireland, and reaction from folks who were there in 1998.

Read The Full Post!

Important Day

Today is a big day. Yeah, Mike Huckabee dropped out, Clinton could be wiped out, but the truth is the big story is that Brett Favre bowed out.

I don't think a lot of fans will realize just how much they miss him until the first game of the regular season, when number 12 trots out to get under center, not number 4. Suddenly a lot of fans of the Packers will realize that there are other quarterbacks on the roster.

A few folks have grumbled that if it's taken him six weeks to make up his mind, and he should have retired right after the season. Bull, when you've played 17 years you can take your time deciding if the grind of number 18 is worth it.

I know a lot of folks wanted him to go after the interception in the NFC Championship, not me, it didn't bother me. If New York's kicker hadn't shanked two easier kicks that pass would never have been thrown.

I can forgive him for that one, and the other 287 picks he tossed, because in the 8400+ attempts I got to witness a lot of crazy, magic, and many times unbelievable things.

I can forgive it because of Antonio Freeman's miracle Monday night catch against the Vikings. The defense gave up on it when they thought Favre was going to be sacked.

I can forgive it because of the night he limped onto the field to beat the Bears with an ankle wrapped so thick it you wondered how he stood, but then tossed 5 TD passes.

Or the day after his father died still playing, because it's what Dad would have wanted, and destroying Oakland 41-7.

I can forgive it because of the pass to Donald Lee in this year's playoffs on what looked like a sure sack, and instead, one hand on the ground, he tosses for 12 yards and a first down.

I can give him a pass on that bad toss because in 2003 he played 11 games with a broken thumb, and won 8 of them. Half the league with healthy quarterbacks didn't win that many total.

I can forgive him because of the 99 yard TD pass and catch with Robert Brooks in Chicago in 1995.

I can forgive it because of his 80+ yard pass to Donald Drive against the Vikings. Larry McCarren screaming "YES! YES!" is still one of the great sports sound bites out there.

I can forgive a couple bad tosses because I've still got the memories of him and Warren Sapp (who also retired today) jawing after every play for years. Two supreme competitors who respected each other, regardless of how the play turned out.

I can forgive some bad passes because I've got sixteen years of insane memories from a guy who played like a kid when he was one, and even when he was "over the hill".

I can forgive that pass because he celebrated touchdowns in his last season like he did in his first, like each one might be his last. Sorry to Joe Montana, Dan Marino, Roger Staubach and Terry Bradshaw, but I don't remember you guys tossing your recievers over your shoulders after a TD pass in a mid season game.

I can forgive him because of a story I heard this morning on my way to work. A guy from Iowa made a custom golf cart for Favre and with a friend delivered to Favre's Mississippi home. After he delivered it Brett spent two hours giving his guests the grand tour of the estate, and just shooting the breeze about lawn care, sports, weather, etc. I'm pretty sure T.O. and Randy Moss wouldn't be so gracious.

Personally, I'd hate to be in Aaron Rodger's shoes on opening day, they'll feel like lead bricks on his feet I would guess. Short of winning it all, there isn't much you can do to live up to a legend when you have to step into his shoes. Ask Steve Young if he's still got that monkey, if he doesn't check your back Aaron, that's probably where it is.

Thanks for the memories Brett, I already miss you, but I hope you have a great time with the family, and get to enjoy life on your terms.

Read The Full Post!

Sportsman of the Year

Brett Favre received Sports Illustrated's "Sportsman of the Year" award earlier this week, and there was some grumbling about it by a few folks because he didn't win a championship, or lead the league in statistical categories.

For those who have an issue with it, I'd have to point you to this video, of Favre getting his second award of the week, the Make-A-Wish Foundation's Chris Greicius Celebrity Award. He was given the award for the 65 times he's granted wishes to kid's to meet him through the charity. On stage with him is Anna Walentowski, who's wish was granted in 2004. (bring a tissue)

The video, to me at least, shows the definition of humility, and caring by a guy who could just as easily travel with an entourage and ignore the media and be an ass, like Barry Bonds.

The Sportsman of the Year award shouldn't be just about on the field accomplishments, if it were, Bonds should probably be this years winner for besting Hank Aaron's home run record. Roger Federer is a popular choice among those bitching in SI's comment about Favre winning it; and in a purly sports sense, is probably very deserving.

However, if it is about "just sports" Favre has still done plenty this year to earn it, eclipsing the NFL's career TD pass mark, career wins by a QB, he'll have the yardage mark in a few days, career interceptions (okay, not a great mark, but you don't get in one season, either). None of them were "short term" records, that get eclipsed every year. In fact, Peyton Manning at his current rate needs about 7 more seasons to catch most of them, if Favre quit today and Manning doesn't have any setbacks.

But again, I go back to the off the field things he's done, and because of his popularity caused to be done. The Fourward Foundation gives away hundreds of thousands of dollars a year to developmentally disabled childrens causes in Wisconsin and Mississippi.

The Door County Gulf Coast Relief Fund started out as a party on Packer's bye weeks. A bunch of guys making a pilgramage to see Favre's home town. Since Katrina they've made 20 trips, with electricians, carpenters, and other tradesmen to help put people back in the homes. Had Brett languished on the bench in Atlanta for his entire career it probable that wouldn't have happened.

SI made a good choice, whether the six people who still watch men's tennis agree or not.

Read The Full Post!