A Hot Packer Mess

  

Last time on “All Vince’s Children”.

-Brett said that the Packers’ claims about ‘protecting his legacy’ are a bunch of bull.

-Aaron refused to speculate on the rumors.

-Chargers all pro RB Ladianian Tomlison accused the Packers of forcing Brett to Retire

-There is a leaked version of Brett’s interview with Fox’s Greta Van Sustren where he rips Packers GM Ted Thompson.

 

Now, in the aftermath of Brett’s interview with Greta Van Sustren, the  Green Bay Packers are now accusing the Minnesota Vikings of tampering with the rights to Favre. Saying  that the latest in this soap opera is bizarre is a gross understatement.

  The Packers’ Brass  is claiming that Brett Favre has had ‘inaproperate dialouge’ with Viking Offensive Coordinator and family friend Darrell Bevell.

Is it me or are the Packers trying to cover their asses here? What do you, the fans think?

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.

Thoughts on Favre’s Retirement Saga

 

 

You know, when I heard the whispers about Brett Favre mulling a return to the Packers and the NFL, I thought: “This is nothing. Having an ‘itch’ or ‘urge’ to return is what all retired players go through. Brett will get over it”

Well, that was until I saw the headlines of “Brett Favre Returns”, “Favre wants release from the Packers” from various news sources. The only thing I have to say now is Favre should sit his ass down and stay retired. Granted, Favre still can play.  During 2007 season Favre

- Ranked Sixth in the League in passer ratings

-Finished fourth in passing yards and completion percentage

-Led the Packers to a 14-4 record.

However while last season’s accomplishments and the fact this he is considered to be one of the most beloved players in the history of the NFL and probably the most beloved Packer ever, that is not the point right now. The point here is this: Brett should have seriously thought about his desire to play before he made a decision to retire in March instead of stringing the Packers along after the fact.  According to Fox Sports Jay Glazer, Favre’s indecisiveness stared almost immediately after he announced his retirement.

In the article “Sources: Favre flipped-flopped before draft” (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8335678?MSNHPHMA), we now know why the Packers refused to grant Favre a release. According to the article, Favre

-informed Green Bay that he wanted to return in late March. He told coach Mike McCarthy and GM Ted Thompson that he had something left in the tank.

-The Packers front office even flew to Mississippi to officialize a deal for Favre to return but in a role to make Aaron Rodger’s situation easier.

-The move was set until Brett informed McCarthy that he was going to remain retired.

 Three months after the Packers drafted two QB’s to back Rodgers, Favre told the team that he’s ‘itching’ to play.  Now, the Packers are basically saying “Brett, you know there are creams for whatever itch that you may have. We are backing Aaron Rodgers.” I don’t blame the Green Bay Packers for taking this stance because Favre was the one playing all sorts of trifling and pitiful games with the organization. Honestly  Favre’s been toying with the Packers for nearly three years after every season.

It’s unfair for Aaron Rodgers, a man who paced the sidelines for three years to acquiese once again to #4. It is unfair for Rodgers to once again play backup to a man who refused to help him. I really wish that Rodgers would show some balls and speak up for himself to the Packers and against Favre. By doing this, he’ll probably earn the respect of the front office, the locker room, and *gasp* some fans! Hey, nearly anything is possible.

Pending Comissioner Goodell’s approval for reenstatement, there are only three options that the Packers can make here if they won’t release Favre. They can:

-Keep him and push Rodgers to the side

-Keep him as a backup (Talk about payback,lol) 

-Trade Him.

If the Packers can’t or wont take him back or trade him, that just leaves Brett with one option, the sanest option. STAY RETIRED

Retirement is the best bet because for the sake of aruguement, lets just say that Favre winds up on another team. What if Favre can’t get it done for the other team? I tell you what will happen. Favre’s legacy will really be ruined and the media will get all up in his ass for this lastest stunt and play poorly.

Brett Favre Retires after 17 Years!

As everyone know by now, Packers QB Brett Favre decided to call it a career today as he announced his retirement this mornning.  We also know that he’s been toying and flirting with the ideal of retirement for four years. Every offeseason in recent years was all about Favre’s long and drawn out decisions.

After the year that he just had, I thought that the 2008 season would probably be his last. I, along with many others, guessed wrong.  In my opinion, Favre don’t have a thing to hang his head about. He has absolutely nothing to prove to anyone. He was a three time league MVP, a Super Bowl Champion, and hold every significant throwing record in the books. During the last season, Favre told the critics to “get thier big”.  He proved to those critics and to himself that he is still a great quarterback after three mediocre years before. Favre left it all on the field,and no one should criticize him for that!

The only issue I have with Favre retring today of all days is the fact that this was on the heels of the Patriots re signing Randy Moss for $27 million over three years. We all know that Favre’s been vocal about the Packers’ passisivity in free agency.  The last time the Packers were heavy on their free agent game, was in 1993 when they acquired Reggie White from the Eagles, and that was eons ago. Favre was frustrated with that, and rightfully so.

This morning, the good old folks at ESPN talked this into the ground, and they are still talking.  They at first thought that Favre was just salty because the Packers’ brass did not make a play for Moss.  Favre left a voice message on Chris Mortensen’s phone saying that his decision to retire did not have a thing to do with Randy Moss, and that it had everything to do with “being tired”.

All evening, I heard “Why would he leave now when the NFC is in their hands”.  That line of thinking is assinie and baseless and Favre knew it too.  While the NFC is still considered the weak confrence, there are still some competitive teams like Dallas,  Giants, the Bears, The Saints are honing thier defense. Bottom line, the only guarantee that you have in the National Football League is that the league don’t, won’t, and never will give a hot buttered damn about you when you hang up the cleats, pads and jersey for good.

So for those reporters that’s questioning why he retired now, marinate on this: After the Bears lost Super Bowl XLI,  you thought that they would return as a contender in ‘07, but they ended up sucking. If Favre had a bad year in ‘07 or if he returned for ‘08 and had a mediocre year, you would have said that he stayed a little bit too long.  Just save it!

As for Skip Bayless, man you sounded foolish today-talking about Favre returning and unretiring.  The rest of you that agreed with Bayless’ logic, sound just as foolish.  I dont see Brett Favre pulling a Junior Seau.  The man said he’s tired, just leave it at that. Dry your eyes, you can still live vicarously  through Tom Brady, Tony Romo, and the Mannings! 

Packers Demolish ‘Hawks

As long as the Packers have Ryan Grant in the backfield, I will never  again write them off as a one dimensional team.  After those two fumbles early on, Grant redeemed himself with 201 yards and 3 touchdowns as the Packers destroyed Seattle 42-20.  On Sunday, I made a boneheaded prediction.  I said that the Seahawks would win beause of their defense. I said that Bobby Engram was gonna cut up the Packs’ secondary. What the hell was I thinking? After that touchdown, it was a wrap for him.

But back to Grant. He set franchise records in playoff games for rushing and  rushing touchdows-eclipsing Ahman Greens mark of 156 yds on the ground. This was also Grant’s sixth 100 yard game of the season. The scary thing about this is he only started 7 games this year. Imagine his numbers if he started for the full season? I feel hella  foolish for doubting this guy but imagine how the Giants feel.

New York did not do a thing with Ryan but trade him, Now, he has thrived in Green Bay. I know Jerry Reece is kicking his own ass for letting this guy go.

As far as the Hawks are concerned, they were exposed as fradulent.  Their defense was MIA and the offense was nonexistent. Shaun Alexander had 20 yards on the ground.  Engram only had 67 yds.  Saying that I have overestimated Seattle, is a gross understatement.

Well, I have said my piece about this game. I’m not gonna grovel for you. Hell, I’m bending my back as it is! That was horrible prediction on my part, and that’s all I have to say.

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 NORTH

1. Bears

This team will win games despite having Rex (your game is) Grossman as quarterback! You can put that in  7 inch headlines. Their defense will only continue where they left off last season.

2007 projected record 12-4

2. Vikings

Look for Minnesota to rebound from thier disasterous 2006 campaign. The offense is fresh, young and explosive. Rookie RB Adrian Peterson is one of the early favorites for rookie of the year.

2007 projected record  9-7

3.Lions

Playoffs? You all are talking about playoffs? are you joking? While Calvin Johnson is a great pick compared to the reveivers that that they had in the past, it is worthless without a competent quarterback. Honestly, this team will never get far as long as Matt Millen is the GM

2007 projected record  4-12

4. Packers

A tired Brett Favre- Ahman Green-Wide Receivers+ a lackluster and mediocre defense= a recipe for disaster.

2007 projected record 3-13