NFL
He is both a unique and talented football player. He is unique in that he plans out touchdown celebrations weeks in advance and sends Pepto Bismol to opposing defenders. He is talented in shattering Bengals receiving records and making spectacular catches that few human beings have any business making. He is Chad Johnson.
Maybe I am alone; maybe I am out of touch; maybe I am just missing something. No matter what, I do not think it’s a bad thing.
When I woke up this morning, I made my normal voyage over to ESPN.com. I don’t like ESPN, never have and never will, but I need to make the trip in order to keep the proverbial enemy closer.
And there I see it.
Ever since Dan Marino retired, the Dolphins have been wading in mediocrity at the most important position in the game. They went from the game manager Jay Fiedler, to Gus Frerotte, and then to has-beens like Dante Culpepper and Trent Green. Now, in a muddled quarterback controversy, there are two young gunslingers, and one who hasn’t been given a fair shake since he entered the league in Josh McCown.
We already saw what John Beck brings to the table through five games and a measly 559 yards. True, he was on the worst team in the league last year, and with very little weapons, but he simply did not perform like a guy should that is being called “the quarterback of the future”.
That’s why Bill Parcells signed McCown and drafted Henne, a Michigan product, like all other Michigan quarterback prospects-looks better than he probably is. Henne might have a shot at proving he’s the guy down the stretch, but realistically, it’d be nothing short of a large step back than to keep drafting quarterbacks and then switching them. Parcells doesn’t want to leave it to the gods for two straight seasons like his competitor, the New York Jets, clearly plan on doing with Kellen Clemens and Chad Pennington.
I’ve heard that there are two different times of the year. There is football season, and there is waiting for football season. With about 50 days left (depending on which day you read this) until the kickoff of the NFL season I thought it would be fun to list some entertaining activities to occupy your time. Understand that these range from the mundane, to the ludicrous, to “Hey, maybe I could actually do that.” This column is all in fun and some of the activities listed should be performed at the readers own risk (of embarrassment). The following are in no particular order.
Finally, we’re making some ground. After all of the speculation, the he said, she said quotes and misquotes, we finally know the truth.
Brett Favre wants back into the NFL, and the Packers don’t want him on their team.
While it doesn’t appear likely that either side will be changing their mind anytime soon, (Brett is set on returning, and the Packers are focused on Aaron Rodgers) now is the time to start focusing on where Favre will be playing next season.
The Green Bay Packers have emphatically stated they will not release Favre, in fear he could go to a rival and beat them twice a season. They probably would be reluctant to let him go to another NFC team, as well, in fear they could meet him in the playoffs.
So, what then? Trade him to Baltimore and possibly see him in the Super Bowl? Ted Thompson is truly in a lose-lose, here. If Brett is reinstated and rides the bench, chants of “we want brett” will be heard for all 8 home games. Aaron Rodgers won’t make it out of Green Bay alive.
Regardless of the actual outcome, what’s better than speculating just a little further in the epic story that has become “the retirement of Brett Favre”?
Here is a look at all of the 31 other teams Brett Favre is more likely to play for, and reasons why or why not it will actually happen:
Fantasy football is upon us. Believe it or not, we are a mere month away from gearing up for a season full of jubilation and undoubtedly, tears of loss and regret. And before you can call yourself ready or boldly declare you’re going to steal your league’s championship this year, you’ve got to know where you stand on each position. More importantly, you’ve got to know where you stand on each player.
I’ll be breaking down each team’s star at each offensive position (QB/RB/WR/TE) and letting you know, if you don’t already know, on who to take, and who to definitely stay away from.
Where there is an up and coming young gunslinger like Jay Cutler, there resides a dream shattering disappointment in an Alex Smith. Any quarterback can go from progression to regression in a blink of an eye, so outside of the obvious top ten quarterbacks, one has to know exactly what separates the rest of the hopefuls.
Here is the complete breakdown of the 2008 starting quarterbacks for each team, as well as any quarterback battles heading into the pre-season:
This is the NFL off-season right? It is amazing that the off-season of the NFL dominates the headlines more than other sports regular season. We have seen the NFL Draft, free agency, the debate over rookie contracts, defensive ends Dancing with the Stars and now the biggest dance of them all, the Brett Favre retirement tease. Just when you thought you would see your first season without #4 in Green Bay, it sounds as if we may be seeing Favre play again this fall… but will it be back in Green Bay?
By David J. Cohen
Recently NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell came out and said it is “ridiculous” for players like Jake Long to make boatloads of money without proving themselves in the NFL. He said “There’s something wrong with the system, the money should go to people who perform.”
With the recent mumblings of Favre considering coming out of retirement, things are getting shaken up in Green Bay, and quite honestly, all around football.
If you’re a fantasy drafter holding an early draft, now you’re not sure whether to steal Rodgers or some of his teammates, and you’re also speculating on whether or not to nab Favre, as well.
Each year we have to look at each player and each team under a microscope. Which player is past his prime, just entering it, and who is going to carry his team to the next level.
If Brett Favre does in fact come back, then it will change the current look of the NFl completely. Well, at least it will change the fortunes of the Green Bay Packers.
Regardless, whatever he decides to do will no doubt have a domino affect in the NFC North, kicking the Vikings or Bears out of playoff contention, or if he stays retired, maybe ensuring them a wild card.
One thing is for sure, Favre and his rumor mill antics will keep us all (unless you’re a Lions fan) on the edge of our seats, awaiting his final verdict. And you thought we had it all figured out back in March…
The pre-season Power Rankings:
“He has the itch…,” mentioned Al Harris, a guest host on ESPN’s NFL Live this Wednesday, when asked about Brett Favre’s potential comeback. He went on to say about Aaron Rodgers, “We embrace Aaron. We support Aaron. Aaron is our quarterback. Brett is retired, but if he wants to come back, there will be some guys that wouldn’t mind it.” Chris Mortensen of ESPN also reported that Favre had made Head Coach McCarthy aware of his “itch” to play. “Mort” also reported that a source in Green Bay made him aware that Favre’s family is pushing him to return. Personally, I don’t think he’s going to return, but I’d be lying if I told you it wouldn’t make me happy to see him back. I just don’t believe it benefits Green Bay in the long run.