The Brett Favre Sweepstakes

NOTE:  I used the Customized Jerseys from the NFL Shop for the following pictures, and they will not let me put “FAVRE” on the back of the Jerseys. So, I had to settle for “FVRE” instead, SMH! I apologize in advance.

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

 

For the sake of arguement, Let’s say that Comissioner Goodell reinstate Brett Favre. Let’s also say that the Packers decided to trade him.  If that is the case, we have nine teams that may make a play for the NFL’s all time passing TD leader.

Baltimore

Sure the Ravens picked Joe Flacco to step in to become the starter but it seems as if Coach John Harbaugh  is willing to make it anybody’s job to win. Right now, on their depth chart, I see two unprovens and a man that can’t throw rice at a wedding let alone a football. Why not stir the pot by getting Favre? In Baltimore, Favre can actually succeed.  With Brett under center, the Ravens could very well evolve from run first offense to the West Coast Offense.  Think about it! Willis McGahee is a decent receiving back and Todd Heap is a phenomenal tight end.  Playing with Brett can make Yamon Figures, Mark Clayton and Derrick Mason better. It is worth the gamble for Ozzie Newsome and Steve Bisciotti to make a play but what or who will Baltimore give up?

Chicago

For the life of me, I don’t understand why the Bears insist on giving Rex Grossman chance after chance to get it right. He is one more bad season away from the inevetiable. The Bears might as well give Brett a try. At least the offense will have a modicum of stability. Favre is resourceful. He can make any situation work.

 

Carolina

The only thing wrong with Jake Delhomme is he’s often injured, and the Panthers backups cannot get it done. If Favre winds up in Charlotte, he will have  Pro Bowl targets in Steve Smith and Muhsin Muhammad to throw to. Favre can also help make young recievers like DJ Hackett and Dwayne Jarrett better. Also joining Favre in the backfield is DeAngelo Williams. Now, Williams proved himself to be a solid back in the shadow of DeShaun Foster. Last season, Willams registered 717 yards and 4 touchdowns. With Foster gone, Williams can flourish. There is potential for Brett to be successful in the Queen City.

Miami

LOL The Dolphins need all the help they can get. That team is a hot mess! While having Brett will improve things just a tad in Miami, I really dont think that the Dolphins are a good fit because they are such a mess on both sides of the ball.

Tampa

Now, you all know that Jon Gruden (AKA Chucky, AKA The Quarterback Groupie) will try and convince the front office to get at Brett. Being in Tampa can be very familiar for #4 because he knows Chucky. Gruden was an offensive assistant and wide receivers coach for the Packers from 1992 to 1994. Putting Favre in Buccanneer Red and Pewter is not reall an idea fit but it is a better fit than Miami.

San Francisco

The Niner Empire is spoiled, and they have been so for 26 years. If your team had the luxury of having not one but two hall of fame quarterbacks and the greatest wide receiver of all time on your team, you will spoild too.  The 49ers are not getting it done with Alex Smith, and Shaun Hill isnt really convinsing as a starter. If Faver dons the Scarlet and Gold, he will be working wiht a formidable trio in Isaac Bruce, Ashley Lelie, and Arnaz Battle.  Farve is also covered in the backfield with the tandem of Frank Gore and DeShaun Foster. Favre would thrive in the city by the Bay, the Niner Empire will still be spoild, and everyone is happy.

Minnesota

Now, Brett may not have any stand out options in the passing game here, but he’ll have Adrian Peterson. Favre is known for his resorsefulness. In additon to resorcefullness, #4 is also known for drama. What is more dramatic than Brett rolling into Lambeau wearing a purple and gold and white jersey with a pair of Viking horns on his helmet? What is more dramatic than Brett engineering a 87 yard winning drive against his old team. Talk about payback! LOL.

Atlanta

Seventeen years after trading Brett for a first round draft pick in 92 (19th overall, Tony Smith), the Falcons can redeem themselves.  Granted, Atlanta did select Matt Ryan but Favre is a proven winner.  This is a city still trying to move on from the Michael Vick saga; might as well get Favre and put some butts in Georgia Dome seats. On the field, Favre will have another talented running back in Michael Turner to help carry the team.  Joe Horn is dependable as well.

 

Seattle

I know that the Seahawks do not have QB problems but it will be special to reunite Mike Holmgreen with Favre for the coach’s final NFL season. These two had years of succes in Green Bay. It’ll be exciting if the duo can duplicate past success.

 

So, there you have it folks! If Green Bay want to trade Brett Favre,  Where should he go?  Should he stay retired? Fans, it’s on you.

Playoff Forecast: The NFC

Cowboys

Packers

 Seahawks

Bucs

 Giants

Redskins

Wild Card

Redskins vs Seahawks

Giants vs Bucs

While Dallas and Green Bay looks good on paper, and should meet for the championship, The NFC field is not as clear cut as you may think. While it is not as tough as the AFC, there should be some great match ups here.  Seattle, Tampa, and the Giants all boast impressive defenses. The Giants and the Bucs are two sack happy defenses. New York lead the league in sacks this year while Tampa isn’t that far behind. Seattle thrives on the ability to blitz. Physical defenses and the ability to create different packages will confuse Dallas. While Romo’s been great for most of the year, he was losing focus in the second half. I actually look for that trend to continue.

The Cowboys are also vulnerable on defense. Being blitz happy will not be enough for a team like Washington. Clinton Portis is very good at picking up blitzes.  This gives Todd Collins extra time in the pocket where hes propelled the ‘Skins to four straight wins. For the Redskins, I would like for them to get Betts more involved in the offense and to use the attributes that made Randel-El so dangerous in Pittsburgh. Washington will need their offence to compensate for the defense.

I’m concerned about Green Bay because they are one dimensional. The burden of the Packers’ success once again falls on Brett Favre’s arm. He is expected to thow and throw often. The cast of characters, must continue to step up if Green Bay have any shot at the NFC championship.

In Seattle, there is the talk of Hasselbeckwinning games with his arm. Honestly, I dont see that happening. First off, Hasselbeck can’t seem to stay off the ground. He was sacked 33 times this season. His touchdown to interception ratio don’t do it for me either. Seattle’s leading receiver, Bobby Engram is a man alone because no one else at wideout can catch. If he wants the team to go far,   Mike Holmgren should establish a running attack with Shaun Alexander to provide some sort of balance to the offense.

While the Giants defense is solid, I still have my reservations about the offense. Eli Manning should great poise against the Patriots until he got too eager and threw the game changing interceptions late in the game. If he could play with the same poise and focus against Tampa, they should not have any problems moving on to the divisional round. The key for the Giants is the connection between Manning  and Jermey Shockey’s backup, Kevin Boss. 

My only concern about the Giants’ defense is the line. Jeff Garcia has been pretty successful agaisnt the defense. So far, Garcia boast a 4-1 record against  New York.  The defence must make adjustments to Gruden’s variation of the West Coast Offence.  In Chucky’s version, Garcia can ad lib his adjustments whenever and connect quickly with the wide outs. However, I believe that New York will make those adjustments.

For the wild card round, I pick  the ‘Skins over the Seahawks and the Giants over the Bucs.

RED ZONE’S SEASON FORECAST: NFC SOUTH

1. Saints

Once again, New Orleans will march to the division crown and into the playoffs. While the defense may have some issues, the offense will carry the load. Don’t be shocked to see Reggie Bush floruish as a all purpose back in the vein of Marshall Faulk. Drew Brees will continue to show the rest of the league that the Chargers made a mistake in letting him go.

 2007 projected record 13-3

2.Panthers

This year is a win or go home year for head coach John Fox. Carolina blew countless games in the fourth quarter last season, and that is unacceptable in the NFL. On paper, this  team should not have any problems competing in the division and conference.

In order for Fox to have a winning season and a job next season, the defense must help the offense close out these games.

2007 projected record 10-6

3. Bucs

Message to Jon Gruden: Stop chasing Rich Gannon and use what you have.  Your QB obsession isn’t going to win many games. Look for Chucky to be in the unemployment line with Crennell.

2007 projected record 4-12

4. Falcons

With an ounce of luck , Atlanta can rise above drama but I doubt it. It is time to destroy and rebuild.

2007 projected record  3-13

The Bucs’ Pointless Meeting With Culpepper

      

It looks like the plot thickened last week for the Bucs’ quarterback stable. On Thursday, the Bucs for whatever reason, met with free agent Daunte Culpepper.  If that’s not bizarre enough, the meeting did not take place at the team’s training facility, and no additional details of the meeting were disclosed.

This was a pointless meeting because the problem is not under center. Not too long ago, the Bucs pushed aside Chris Simms for Jeff Garcia, and now they are eyeing  Culpepper? I wonder if Chucky Gruden have a quarterback fetish? That is the only logical reason I could come with for this meeting.

Tampa Bay is not stunning at quarterback but solid-Simms is resilent, Garcia has the savy, and Gardowski can and should be taking notes from those two. Adding Culpepper will only add a nerve wrecking quarterback controversy, and we all know how ‘fun’ they are.

What the Bucs should do is address their needs at wide receiver and figure out how to resign Mike Alstott after the end of the season.  Chasing after Culpepper is just greedy.

Get Your Job Back, Chris!

   

      I may be in the  minority when I say this but I believe that naming Jeff Garcia as the starter in Tampa Bay is premature. Coach Gruden’s  decision was  premature because the starting job was Chris Simms’ to lose due to mediocre performance not to injury. If I’m not mistaken, Simms recovered from his ruptured spleen injury, and even signed a two year extension for $5 million. Obviously, the Bucs brass thought highly enough of the second generation quarterback to give him a contract extension so having him model the latest in officially licensed hats while carrying a clipboard  does not make a bit of sense.

   Don’t get me wrong, Garcia is a strong and solid quarterback. He held Philly together when McNabb went down but I feel that he did not earn the Bucs’ starting job. In my point of view, Simms did not get a fair opportunity to compete for this position. Granted, I know that he developed some bad habits mechanically due to the desire to protect the torso but mechanics can be easily corrected. In this case, can be corrected before training camp. If push comes to shove there are three words to remember in this situation: father knows best. If needed, Chris can always get mechanics advice from his father Phil.

Simms’ mechanics may be off and needs some work but that doesn’t stop his brain from absorbing that playbook and watching film. If it was me, that’s exactly what I would do espically when the team signed Garcia in March. I would have been glued to the film room and the playbook. I also would be on the lookout for new schemes.

Right now, Simms should continue to work to take back what’s his. Simms need to beat Garcia in training camp to show ‘Chucky’, the analysts, and the fans who the starter in 2007 should be!