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!

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!

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Turkey Day to everyone out there. Hopefully you are able to get together with family and friends and enjoy the day. And sorry to Shoprat, but his Lions will be going down like an anchor to the Packers this morning.



Here's your Thanksgiving Day Funny (courtesy of Earl).

Read The Full Post!