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.

LOVE AND FOOTBALL?

So, I noticed an article at MSN.Com, talking ’bout “Dating Is Like The Super Bowl” http://msn.match.com/msn/article.aspxarticleid=9223&TrackingID=516311&BannerID=544657&menuid=6&GT1=10787

I read it and to me, it was weak as hell. The analogy only gave the reader the dating game through the point of view of the Coach, GM and Owner. What about the point of view of the PLAYER? because that’s what most of us are in this game.  What about getting out there on your field of choice to play for whatever it is you want?  Some people play for  a meaningful relatioship while some people play for sex. There are those who play for that “elusive” wedding ring and bells and whistles of a wedding, while some play for self esteem or even money and revenge. The point is, everything looks good in the front office and in the luxury boxes. The field in love is just as brutal and unforgiving as the  gridiron or maybe even worse because while you may have wingmen or wingwomen if you will,  but you are a one man or one woman team at the end of the day. Honestly, I dont know where the author of this feature is coming from when she wrote what she wrote. But for me and maybe for most people, the following  is  what can and does happen in the game of love.

We get our hearts mangled and ripped apart like Theismann’s leg only to patch it up again and get out there.  We do this because, could it be that the reward is greater than the risk?  While some patch up the ‘heart’ and get out there again, some just go the sideline.  People go to the sideline for various reason. Maybe they need to study the ‘playbook’ before trying again, or they wine or give up.

The author of “Dating is Like the Super Bowl” wrote about people being ‘benchwarmers’ and ‘trade material’ now who in the hell wants to be that? People will do whatever they can to aviod being that. Who is gonna stand  on the sidelines like a damn fool and wait for the ‘Coach’ to make up his or her mind? Anyone worth their salt would get out there and find somebody else!

 I do however agree with the author’s ‘rules’ of the game. one of the stories subjects said. ”When cutting or releasing a date, you should always do it in person, especially  if that date has been a good performer and has contributed to the overall success of your ‘team.’ and “Never release your decision to the ‘press’ or your pack of friends beforehand.”

Thats is some great rules but how bout strategy? In the game of love, in my opinion, defense is key!

Randy Moss Accused of Battery

Today,Randy Moss vehemently denied allegations of a Ft. Lauderdale woman claiming that the All Pro Receiver committed battery. Moss claims that this is extortion!

“They’re false allegations. Something I have been battling for like the last couple of days of threats going public if I didn’t pay X amount of dollars”  He said.

This is what we know so far.

-The incident allegedly happened on Jan. 6 on New England’s bye week.

-The woman in question knew Randy for 11 years, and he is not denying that something happened but he is denying “battery” and claiming the incident as an accident.

-The woman and her reps issued a restraining order on Moss.

-No Charges filed

-No police report

-Hearing scheduled Jan. 28

As it stands right now,  I want to give Randy the benefit of the doubt. Yeah, everyone knows about the incidents in that past  but they are by no means like this one since he came into the league. Moss have been doing everything possible to a productive member of the Patriots. So why would he throw it away over this kind of drama?

The problem I have with this is:  Why didn’t Rachelle Washington report this incident promptly? Why did she wait until the AFC Championship Game to come out with this?  According to Moss, Washington has her own house and own ride, why didnt she seek medical attention? It wasnt like Moss could stop her.

Right now, the media, critics and everyone in between should reserve judgement until more facts surface.

T.O. : A Snotty, Crying Shame!

T.O. , spare us the dramatics, You don’t give a damn about Tony Romo! Those tears were not for him. They were for YOU! Yesterday’s antics by Owens were only so he wouldn’t get blamed for the loss.  If the tears wasn’t bad enough, this dude here said that he had great relationships with his teammates and quarterbacks throughout his career. Now everyone knows that is lie. Let’s run it down shall we!

T.O.

-Implied that Jeff Garcia was gay

-Ran down Donovan McNabb in Philly

-Implied that if he had Favre under center in the Super Bowl, he would have a ring.

Yeah, I know that TO invited Romo to his birthday party and they are seen together on the sidelines but that doesn’t mean that there is a strong bond. Hell, TO worked out endlessly with McNabb when he first arrived in Philly and we know how that relationship ended.

Folks can say whatever they feel about Randy Moss but he took a huge paycut to be with New England because he wants to win. Moss handled his business during his first year with the pats. While TO had some great games with Dallas, he manages to get in distraction after distraction. Now, the media do come down hard on him at times but this time, TO deserves every barb he gets.

Instead of getting the popcorn ready, how about some kleenex , Midol, and a little bit of Carl Thomas.

Donovan’s Damage Control

Here is the bottom line on this blowup between Donovan McNabb and Pam Oliver. From my perspective, it seems as if McNabb and the Eagles Organization are doing some damage control when both parties know what time it really is in the offseason. Despite his denials and his proclamations, Donovan knows that he will not be a Philadelphia Eagle next season. He knows that the writing is on the wall and what it says! The wall says “Donovan=Ron Jaworski”  Let me explain the similiarity.

Philadelphia took Houston QB Kevin Kolb with their first pick of this year’s draft. This move was considered to be shocking since the Eagles’ need is not at quarterback. The same thing happend in the 1985 draft when the Eagles selected Randall Cunningham in the second round. It wasn’t long until Randall replaced Ron and Ron was out of Philly. The same thing can be applied here because McNabb is often injured and the fans are about sick of him. It seems as if the Eagles are listening despite the claims of ‘McNabb isn’t going anywhere’.

So what does the five time Pro Bowler do? He goes on HBO Real Sports to talk about how hard it is for a black quarterback. During the season, everything seemed to be fine. Everything seemed to be business as usual until the Dallas game. How much do you all out there wanna bet that something went down between the organization and McNabb the week of the game? Remember, Pam Oliver said in her interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer that she simply asked McNabb how he was doing and he volunteered a whole lot of information . http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/20071218_Fox_reporter_defends_story_about_McNabb__quot_Im_a_little_shocked_and_dumbfounded_that_it_has_all_been_denied__quot__Pam_Oliver_said_.html

Not to mention that Oliver withheld some of McNabbs most pointed and juicy remarks about the organization to cover his butt.  Donovan thought about what he told Oliver and how it would sound. So, he denied what he said and made Oliver look like a liar.

It doen’t matter though because the Eagles and the fans have their minds made up to move on without Donovan. If Philly can relase Jermiah Trotter without a good reason, what makes you think that Donovan McNabb is immune? The question now is, which quarterback starved team will get this guy?

As for Oliver, all she had to say, is ‘It was said and it was documented. I will stick by my story’  She shouldn’t have caught emotions.  Honestly, she shouldn’t have withheld quotes because in the end, it would not have mattered becuase McNabb won’t be an Eagle for much longer anyway. This may be just a blip of trouble for Pam but if she keeps the beef up, it may impact her job.

Donovan McNabb Vs Pam Oliver

“Right now, smoke is still coming out of my ears.”  -Fox Sideline Reporter Pam Oliver

Donovan Mcnabb chatted with Fox’s Pam Oliver during a pregame interview Sunday  In the report, McNabb “seemed to believe that his days in Philadelphia are numbered” and that he “sees an organization distancing itself from him” In fact these were Oliver’s exact words:

“Donovan really seems to believe that his days in Philadelphia are numbered. When I spoke to him before the game, I got the impresson that Donovan is a little hurt by what he sees as an organization distancing itself from him and an orginanization that’s overly concerned about the negative fan reaction to him.”

After their 10-6 victory over Dallas, McNabb denied what he said in the interview and claimed that he “wanted to be here (in Philadelphia) eight more, nine more years if possible”  Donovan basically called Pam a liar, and she is not having it!

In a phone interview to the Wilmington (Del) News Journal and Philidelphia Inquirer, Oliver is still heated at the Eagles QB. “I just feel like our relationship is definitely broken,” she said. “It is not easy being called a big, fat liar.You wake up to that and it’s unplesant.” Oliver continued to say that she no longer consider the five time Pro Bowler as a trustworthy source. The two developed a strong relationship stemming back to McNabb’s rookie season.  Oliver feels like Donovan stabbed her in the back.

Oliver sticks by her story. As of yet, there is no reply from McNabb regarding Oliver’s statements.

So, who is lying here?

After responding here, check out my take on the incident in the next entry.

Blame Romo, Team

Photo from NFL.com

Last night, I read an article on yahoo saying that some Cowboy fans are blaming Jessica Simpson for Tony Romo’s three interception peformance in Dallas’ 10-6 loss against Philly Sunday.

The statement and insinuation is assinine, absurd and downright retarded. Don’t get me wrong, I am no way a fan of Jesssica, but to believe she have something to do with Romo’s performance in the game is unfair. Think about it, how many wives, girlfriends, jumpoffs and groupies come to these games? There are alot of these women at the games, but thier presence do not affect the players one way or the other.  I bet that the women Romo is dating all atteneded the games where he was performing well. You fans were not criticizing them!

While Romo is having a great year and elevating his free agent stock, bad games happen every once in a while.  These bad games happen because maybe, the oppenets defense really studied, made adjustments and got hip to Dallas’ scheme. So, instead of blaming Jessica, Blame Tony and the offensive coordinator for not making the adjustments needed. Blame the Eagles defense for simplying being the better unit.

If you do want to blame Jessica for something, blame her for her undeserved success and career!

Was Falcons Owner’s statement racist?

For those who did not watch last night’s Falcons/Saints game, Falcons owner Authur Blank talked to the Monday Night Football broadcasting team. He talked about the all of Vicks roadblocks for an NFL return. Then, he mentioned the possiblilty of Vick eating too much fried chicken and gaining weight.

There are two ways to look at this: One, what Blank said was racist.  Two, Blank offered a poor commentary on the possibility of Vick’s  diet behind bars.

After looking at the video, what do you all think? racist or wrong choice of words?