New York Giants: The Five Things To Watch in 2009

Let’s face it, there is more going on with this team than plugging the hole left by Plax.

Going into the 2009 season, the Giants look like they could be in a position to collect another ring. But being a Giants fan, I know that its still way too early to make those predictions – more than a dozen games too early, actually.

But, there are a few things that I’m keeping a close eye on, and if the Giants perform admirably in these areas, I am confident that they will be in a good position to reign supreme again.

Why Herman Moore Should Replace Michael Irvin on 1990s All-Decade Team

Many people judge players only by how much they win, or how many Super Bowl rings they have.

And that is a big mistake.

To truly evaluate someone and compare them to another player, one must first look at their stats, as well as their surroundings and the characteristics that make a good player at that position.  At the wide-receiver position, the player must have a good combination of size and speed, as well as the ability to come through in the clutch.  

Wide receivers must also have the ability to come over the middle of the field and withstand hits by the defensive backs, and they must have good hands and be able to consistently catch a good number of passes every week of the season.

A good receiver must be able to use their size/speed every week of the season, especially when their team needs it the most.

And that is where the distinction between receivers such as Michael Irvin and Herman Moore comes in.

Michael Irvin is remembered for being part of the Cowboys dynasty of the 1990s that won three Super Bowls in ’92, ’93, and ’95.  He was a big receiver that was known for never being called for offensive pass interference, and made five Pro Bowls from 1991-1995. 

He also made first team All-Pro in 1991 and second team All-Pro in 1992 and 1993. However, he only posted 100 receptions more than once, in 1995, and the year after, his career basically fell off a cliff.

Herman Moore played for in Detroit, a team that only won one playoff game during the 1990s, but he was a big part of the six playoff teams in ’91, ’93, ’94, ’95, ’97, and ’99.

His years from 1993-1998 were his best, as he was selected to four Pro Bowls from 94-97. He also earned second team All-Pro honors in 1994 and first team All-Pro from 1995-1997.

In 1995, Moore set an NFL record with 123 catches, and teammate Brett Perriman also caught 108.  When you have teammates constantly distracting attention from you (Barry Sanders, Brett Perriman, Scott Mitchell) and you still manage to post a new NFL record, that’s pretty impressive. 

He also led the league in receptions in 1997 and became the second person, other than Jerry Rice, to have three straight 100-catch seasons, from 1995-1997.

Michael Irvin wasn’t nearly as productive as perceived.  Even though he had a “Hall of Fame quarterback” in Troy Aikman, he only had one season where he caught more than 100 passes, and he got away with pass interference all the time.

The Cowboys weren’t the same after 1995, and neither was Irvin.  He wasn’t as productive as he had been during the glory days of the Trio.

Herman Moore was one of those players that had a great combination of size and speed. He was 6’4″ and could use his size in any way, but he also had the breakaway speed of Jerry Rice.  Moore could break tackles and run after the catch, and he consistently caught passes over the middle.

Another reason Herman Moore should be on the All-Decade Team of the 1990s is because so many players have gotten onto an All-Decade Team, despite only having three or four good years.  Terrell Davis was only a star running back from 1996-1998, but he still managed to claim a spot on the 90’s All-Decade team. 

Jerry Rice only had four good years in the ’80s (1986-1989), but still managed to grab a spot on the ’80s All-Decade team.  Jack Lambert only played during the early ’80s, and only had four good years (1980-1983), but still earned a spot on the ’80s All-Decade team.

Moore had a span of six good years from ’93 to ’98, even when he was fighting age and injuries later in his career.

Herman Moore established himself as one of the top receivers in the league from 1993-1998, and although injuries limited his career after that, he still managed to be a respectable member of the Lions in his later years. 

He helped turn the Lions into a playoff team during the ’90s and made Scott Mitchell a respectable quarterback.  Despite having Barry Sanders to detract attention from him, he still managed to post over 100 catches three seasons, only one of two players to do so.

In conclusion, Herman Moore would make a better choice for the 1990s All-Decade team due to the fact that Moore had more All-Pros, better stats during his prime, and played on a mediocre team, while Irvin played on the Cowboys during the dynasty days.

Top Five Free Agent Signings of the 2009 NFL Offseason

Save for the free agent explosion that was the 320-pound Albert Haynesworth signing a $100 million contract with the Washington Redskins, this season was a bit quieter in terms of free agent signings than years past.

The current state of limbo of the collective bargaining agreement could have a lot to do with that (though it didn’t seem to bother the ‘Skins any, so that’s up for debate).

Still, there are a few free agent signings that made a big splash, and I’m setting out to rank the five that I think are the most significant in terms of improving the team.

Top Five Free Agent Signings of the 2009 NFL Offseason

Save for the free agent explosion that was the 320-pound Albert Haynesworth signing a $100 million contract with the Washington Redskins, this season was a bit quieter in terms of free agent signings than years past.

The current state of limbo of the collective bargaining agreement could have a lot to do with that (though it didn’t seem to bother the ‘Skins any, so that’s up for debate).

Still, there are a few free agent signings that made a big splash, and I’m setting out to rank the five that I think are the most significant in terms of improving the team.

Inside the Denver Broncos’ Roster: The Tight Ends

Since the early 1990’s, the tight end position for the Denver Broncos can be described in one word:  stability.

From future Hall of Fame lock Shannon Sharpe to three-time Super Bowl champion Daniel Graham, tight ends have been a huge part of the Bronco offense for nearly two decades.

Nothing will change in 2009.

The Broncos feature two Pro Bowl caliber players at the position in Daniel Graham and Tony Scheffler, and a newly acquired second round pick whom the coaching staff is really high on. 

Can this unit take pressure off of Kyle Orton?

Oftentimes, teams only keep three, maybe four tight ends, so who will make the final roster for the Denver Broncos?

 

1.  Daniel Graham

Graham is a vastly underrated player at his position, mostly because his specialty is blocking.

The former Patriots first round draft pick out of Colorado was signed in 2007 as a big money free agent by the Broncos, and fans were calling for former head coach Mike Shanahan’s head after he paid so much money for a guy who had only 24 receptions in his first season in Denver.

Casual observers of the team are still trying to figure out why this team paid so much money for Graham, but his blocking skills speak for themselves. 

Last season, he earned his money not only as a blocking specialist, but as a pass receiver as well.  Graham nearly eclipsed his single-season high of 38 receptions last season when he hauled in 32 passes for 389 yards and four touchdowns.

History proves that teams are much more successful when Graham catches 30 or more passes in a season.

• 2003:  38 receptions, 408 yards, 4 TD–Patriots win Super Bowl
• 2004:  30 receptions, 364 yards, 7 TD–Patriots win Super Bowl
• 2008:  32 receptions, 389 yards, 4 TD–Broncos 2nd place AFC West, one game away from playoffs

Now, there is no doubt that Graham did not single-handedly bring his team into the winner’s circle, but there is also no denying the correlation between his play and his team’s victories.

Graham should continue to be a safety outlet for new quarterback Kyle Orton, as well as a cog in the running game.

 

2.  Tony Scheffler

Scheffler, when healthy, is arguably the best pass catching tight end in the NFL.  Tony Gonzalez obviously is the clear cut No. 1, and there are players like Jason Witten and Antonio Gates who are also in the mix, but it is hard to argue with Scheffler’s numbers.

In three seasons with the Broncos, Scheffler has caught 107 passes for 1,480 yards and 12 touchdowns while only playing in 40 games over that timeframe.

Scheffler is an athletic specimen at 6’5″ 250 pounds with a 4.55 second 40-yard dash.  This former Western Michigan dual sport star has turned into a big play threat for the Denver Broncos.

Heading into his fourth year in the league, Scheffler has been the subject of quite a few trade rumors throughout the off-season. 

Unlike his former roommate and best friend Jay Cutler, Scheffler handled the trade talks with poise and confidence, stating that the NFL is a business and that his job is to help the Broncos win in any way he can.

In 2008, Scheffler proved he was a threat to score every time he touched the ball, leading the Broncos with an average of 16.1 yards per reception.  He also set a personal single season record with 645 receiving yards.

Combined with the Broncos’ arsenal of running backs and receivers, Scheffler provides the Broncos with yet another big weapon on the outside.

 

3.  Richard Quinn

Quinn was undoubtedly the biggest surprise of the Broncos’ draft class, but looking back the selection makes a lot of sense.

Many feel the Broncos screwed themselves over by trading away two third round picks for Quinn and a fourth round pick, but many forget that Denver acquired that extra fourth round pick in the deal, so they really did not sacrifice a large discrepancy in talent with their two picks.

Here are a few reasons why Quinn was a solid pick by McDaniels and company:

• Daniel Graham is 30 years old, and while he may just now be entering his prime, the Broncos are looking toward the future.
• Tony Scheffler has one year left on his contract.
• Outside of Graham and Scheffler, the only tight end on the Broncos’ roster was late season free agent acquisition Jeb Putzier.

And the number one reason why Quinn was acquired with the 64th pick in the 2009 NFL Draft: Red zone efficiency.

Last season, the Broncos were second in the entire NFL in offense…in terms of yardage.  They ranked a very mediocre 16th in the league in scoring, thanks largely to the fact that they could not punch the ball in when they got inside the opponents’ 20.

Quinn only had 12 receptions in his career at North Carolina, but the former Tar Heel is regarded as the best blocker in his class not named Pettigrew, and scouts felt he showed very soft hands in off-season workouts.

When the Broncos enter their opponents’ red-zone, expect Quinn to make them much more efficient with his blocking and receiving abilities.

 

4.  Jeb Putzier

Putzier was a late season free agent signing in 2008, beginning his second stint with the Broncos.

The veteran tight end is known mostly for his blocking abilities, and not much else.  He has fairly reliable hands for the position, but the Broncos’ group of tight ends is a bit crowded and he could struggle to make the final roster.

 

5.  Marquez Branson

Branson was an undrafted free agent out of Central Arkansas who put together a very solid collegiate career.

Somebody put together a nice YouTube highlight of this kid, and he sort of reminds me of Peyton Hillis in terms of his receiving ability, but he lacks the toughness of Hillis.

He should be a practice squad addition, as his skills are fairly raw and he may need a year or two to develop.

2008 Tight Ends Grade:  B+

Tight End’s Coach:  Clancy Barone

Projected Starter:  Daniel Graham (Acquired via Free Agency in 2007)

Projected Stats:    Rec.     Yds.     Avg.     TD

                          30        360      12.0    2

Projected Backup:  Tony Scheffler (Acquired via 2006 NFL Draft)

Projected Stats     45        630      14.0     4

Projected Third String:  Richard Quinn (Acquired via 2000 NFL Draft)

Projected Stats     15        150      10.0   1

Roster spots filled by TE:  3/54

Roster spots filled overall:  17/54

 

**Marquez Branson waived, added to practice squad; Jeb Putzier cut**

 

Inside the Denver Broncos’ Roster: The Tight Ends

Since the early 1990’s, the tight end position for the Denver Broncos can be described in one word:  stability.

From future Hall of Fame lock Shannon Sharpe to three-time Super Bowl champion Daniel Graham, tight ends have been a huge part of the Bronco offense for nearly two decades.

Nothing will change in 2009.

The Broncos feature two Pro Bowl caliber players at the position in Daniel Graham and Tony Scheffler, and a newly acquired second round pick whom the coaching staff is really high on. 

Can this unit take pressure off of Kyle Orton?

Oftentimes, teams only keep three, maybe four tight ends, so who will make the final roster for the Denver Broncos?

 

1.  Daniel Graham

Graham is a vastly underrated player at his position, mostly because his specialty is blocking.

The former Patriots first round draft pick out of Colorado was signed in 2007 as a big money free agent by the Broncos, and fans were calling for former head coach Mike Shanahan’s head after he paid so much money for a guy who had only 24 receptions in his first season in Denver.

Casual observers of the team are still trying to figure out why this team paid so much money for Graham, but his blocking skills speak for themselves. 

Last season, he earned his money not only as a blocking specialist, but as a pass receiver as well.  Graham nearly eclipsed his single-season high of 38 receptions last season when he hauled in 32 passes for 389 yards and four touchdowns.

History proves that teams are much more successful when Graham catches 30 or more passes in a season.

• 2003:  38 receptions, 408 yards, 4 TD–Patriots win Super Bowl
• 2004:  30 receptions, 364 yards, 7 TD–Patriots win Super Bowl
• 2008:  32 receptions, 389 yards, 4 TD–Broncos 2nd place AFC West, one game away from playoffs

Now, there is no doubt that Graham did not single-handedly bring his team into the winner’s circle, but there is also no denying the correlation between his play and his team’s victories.

Graham should continue to be a safety outlet for new quarterback Kyle Orton, as well as a cog in the running game.

 

2.  Tony Scheffler

Scheffler, when healthy, is arguably the best pass catching tight end in the NFL.  Tony Gonzalez obviously is the clear cut No. 1, and there are players like Jason Witten and Antonio Gates who are also in the mix, but it is hard to argue with Scheffler’s numbers.

In three seasons with the Broncos, Scheffler has caught 107 passes for 1,480 yards and 12 touchdowns while only playing in 40 games over that timeframe.

Scheffler is an athletic specimen at 6’5″ 250 pounds with a 4.55 second 40-yard dash.  This former Western Michigan dual sport star has turned into a big play threat for the Denver Broncos.

Heading into his fourth year in the league, Scheffler has been the subject of quite a few trade rumors throughout the off-season. 

Unlike his former roommate and best friend Jay Cutler, Scheffler handled the trade talks with poise and confidence, stating that the NFL is a business and that his job is to help the Broncos win in any way he can.

In 2008, Scheffler proved he was a threat to score every time he touched the ball, leading the Broncos with an average of 16.1 yards per reception.  He also set a personal single season record with 645 receiving yards.

Combined with the Broncos’ arsenal of running backs and receivers, Scheffler provides the Broncos with yet another big weapon on the outside.

 

3.  Richard Quinn

Quinn was undoubtedly the biggest surprise of the Broncos’ draft class, but looking back the selection makes a lot of sense.

Many feel the Broncos screwed themselves over by trading away two third round picks for Quinn and a fourth round pick, but many forget that Denver acquired that extra fourth round pick in the deal, so they really did not sacrifice a large discrepancy in talent with their two picks.

Here are a few reasons why Quinn was a solid pick by McDaniels and company:

• Daniel Graham is 30 years old, and while he may just now be entering his prime, the Broncos are looking toward the future.
• Tony Scheffler has one year left on his contract.
• Outside of Graham and Scheffler, the only tight end on the Broncos’ roster was late season free agent acquisition Jeb Putzier.

And the number one reason why Quinn was acquired with the 64th pick in the 2009 NFL Draft: Red zone efficiency.

Last season, the Broncos were second in the entire NFL in offense…in terms of yardage.  They ranked a very mediocre 16th in the league in scoring, thanks largely to the fact that they could not punch the ball in when they got inside the opponents’ 20.

Quinn only had 12 receptions in his career at North Carolina, but the former Tar Heel is regarded as the best blocker in his class not named Pettigrew, and scouts felt he showed very soft hands in off-season workouts.

When the Broncos enter their opponents’ red-zone, expect Quinn to make them much more efficient with his blocking and receiving abilities.

 

4.  Jeb Putzier

Putzier was a late season free agent signing in 2008, beginning his second stint with the Broncos.

The veteran tight end is known mostly for his blocking abilities, and not much else.  He has fairly reliable hands for the position, but the Broncos’ group of tight ends is a bit crowded and he could struggle to make the final roster.

 

5.  Marquez Branson

Branson was an undrafted free agent out of Central Arkansas who put together a very solid collegiate career.

Somebody put together a nice YouTube highlight of this kid, and he sort of reminds me of Peyton Hillis in terms of his receiving ability, but he lacks the toughness of Hillis.

He should be a practice squad addition, as his skills are fairly raw and he may need a year or two to develop.

2008 Tight Ends Grade:  B+

Tight End’s Coach:  Clancy Barone

Projected Starter:  Daniel Graham (Acquired via Free Agency in 2007)

Projected Stats:    Rec.     Yds.     Avg.     TD

                          30        360      12.0    2

Projected Backup:  Tony Scheffler (Acquired via 2006 NFL Draft)

Projected Stats     45        630      14.0     4

Projected Third String:  Richard Quinn (Acquired via 2000 NFL Draft)

Projected Stats     15        150      10.0   1

Roster spots filled by TE:  3/54

Roster spots filled overall:  17/54

 

**Marquez Branson waived, added to practice squad; Jeb Putzier cut**

 

Steve Slaton: Proving Size Doesn’t Matter in the NFL

Late in Steve Slaton’s junior season at West Virginia, he was answering criticism about being too small to be a featured back in the NFL.

When one reporter asked Slaton if he would be relegated to a third-down back in the NFL, the agitated 5’9″, 195-pounder responded “I don’t know, was Tony Dorsett a third-down back? I am bigger than he was when he played in the NFL.”

People chuckled but it’s Slaton who is getting the last laugh.

Despite being one of the most explosive players in college football and a star at West Virginia, Slaton lasted until the 89th pick in the NFL Draft because he was deemed “too small” to be an every-down back in the pros.

It didn’t take long for Slaton to smash the stereotype that size matters in the NFL.

As a rookie he burst on the scene with 1,282 yards rushing and nine touchdowns. He also caught 50 balls as a receiver coming out of the backfield.

This is a strong rookie season for any running back but these numbers are even more impressive when you take into account that Slaton didn’t carry the ball 20 times in a game until Week 12.

Just imagine what kind of production he’ll put up now that he enters the 2009 season as the Texans’ unquestioned starter at running back.

Slaton, like Dorsett, is the rare breed of athlete where size really doesn’t matter. Scouts were right to question Slaton’s size at first.

Nine times out of 10 a running back with Slaton’s build would find it difficult to take the physical pounding that accompanies a 16-game NFL schedule.

But what makes Slaton different than most is that he’s a freak of nature.

He runs a 4.4 40-yard dash (he’s actually much faster than his timed speed too which is even scarier) and his quickness and elusiveness in the open field are a God-given talent that most running backs can only dream of.

These qualities help negate Slaton’s lack of size because he rarely gets hit hard. It’s similar to that of Emmitt Smith, who Slaton is built like. Slaton is currently five-foot-nine, 201 pounds, while Smith played most of his career at 5 foot 9 inches, 209 pounds.

Like Smith, Slaton has a knack of avoiding big hits and slipping tackles, which keeps him fresh throughout the season.

Because of these unique qualities, I really don’t think Slaton will get worn down over a 16-game season. I fully expect him to be able to carry the load for the Texans and improve on his impressive rookie campaign.

Emmitt Smith did it for the Cowboys. Tiki Barber did it for the Giants. Brian Westbrook does it for the Eagles. I believe Slaton will do it in Houston as well.

Every now and then a player comes around that defies logic. Someone who is so special that scouts can’t evaluate him just based on measurables like size and NFL Combine numbers. Steve Slaton is one of those players.

The Houston Texans are this year’s sexy pick as everyone’s sleeper team to make the playoffs. It could happen. Houston has a lot of good, young talent on both sides of the ball.

But if the Texans do indeed make the postseason for the first time in franchise history, they’ll do so on the back of 5’9″, 201-pound Steve Slaton.

Looks like he’s big enough to carry the load after all.

Steve Slaton: Proving Size Doesn’t Matter in the NFL

Late in Steve Slaton’s junior season at West Virginia, he was answering criticism about being too small to be a featured back in the NFL.

When one reporter asked Slaton if he would be relegated to a third-down back in the NFL, the agitated 5’9″, 195-pounder responded “I don’t know, was Tony Dorsett a third-down back? I am bigger than he was when he played in the NFL.”

People chuckled but it’s Slaton who is getting the last laugh.

Despite being one of the most explosive players in college football and a star at West Virginia, Slaton lasted until the 89th pick in the NFL Draft because he was deemed “too small” to be an every-down back in the pros.

It didn’t take long for Slaton to smash the stereotype that size matters in the NFL.

As a rookie he burst on the scene with 1,282 yards rushing and nine touchdowns. He also caught 50 balls as a receiver coming out of the backfield.

This is a strong rookie season for any running back but these numbers are even more impressive when you take into account that Slaton didn’t carry the ball 20 times in a game until Week 12.

Just imagine what kind of production he’ll put up now that he enters the 2009 season as the Texans’ unquestioned starter at running back.

Slaton, like Dorsett, is the rare breed of athlete where size really doesn’t matter. Scouts were right to question Slaton’s size at first.

Nine times out of 10 a running back with Slaton’s build would find it difficult to take the physical pounding that accompanies a 16-game NFL schedule.

But what makes Slaton different than most is that he’s a freak of nature.

He runs a 4.4 40-yard dash (he’s actually much faster than his timed speed too which is even scarier) and his quickness and elusiveness in the open field are a God-given talent that most running backs can only dream of.

These qualities help negate Slaton’s lack of size because he rarely gets hit hard. It’s similar to that of Emmitt Smith, who Slaton is built like. Slaton is currently five-foot-nine, 201 pounds, while Smith played most of his career at 5 foot 9 inches, 209 pounds.

Like Smith, Slaton has a knack of avoiding big hits and slipping tackles, which keeps him fresh throughout the season.

Because of these unique qualities, I really don’t think Slaton will get worn down over a 16-game season. I fully expect him to be able to carry the load for the Texans and improve on his impressive rookie campaign.

Emmitt Smith did it for the Cowboys. Tiki Barber did it for the Giants. Brian Westbrook does it for the Eagles. I believe Slaton will do it in Houston as well.

Every now and then a player comes around that defies logic. Someone who is so special that scouts can’t evaluate him just based on measurables like size and NFL Combine numbers. Steve Slaton is one of those players.

The Houston Texans are this year’s sexy pick as everyone’s sleeper team to make the playoffs. It could happen. Houston has a lot of good, young talent on both sides of the ball.

But if the Texans do indeed make the postseason for the first time in franchise history, they’ll do so on the back of 5’9″, 201-pound Steve Slaton.

Looks like he’s big enough to carry the load after all.

Talking Brett Favre on Sports Overnight America

Last night, I joined Pat Mauro of Sports Overnight America in the wee hours of the morning to discuss Brett Favre, the Vikings, and the Timberwolves.

In case you missed it—or if 12:40 CDT was past your bedtime—the text of our conversation is below, with a little bit of my excess verbiage trimmed for the sake of brevity.

The Favre and Vikings chatter is covered here. You can read the T’Wolves talk here.

Special thanks to Pat—who was a terrific host—for having me on board.

 

Pat Mauro: Is Brett Favre going to be a Viking? It almost seems like every fan, everyone involved with the Vikings—unless your name is Sage Rosenfels—would like the sound of Brett Favre as quarterback of this team. Am I out there in saying that?

 

Marino Eccher: No, I think you’re pretty on-the-ball there, Pat. First of all, to answer your question, I do think barring a major setback with that arm, you are going to see Brett Favre in a Vikings uniform come training camp time.

And for the most part, I think the team is going to feel pretty good about that. Now obviously, that depends on which Brett Favre you’re getting.

If you get the guy who, through the first 11 games of last year, threw those 22 touchdowns, 13 picks, completed about 70 percent of his passes, well, it’s all good and gravy.

If you get the guy, who went 1-4 to close out the season, couldn’t make a throw to save his life, and ended up needing bicep surgery for a torn tendon, you’re going to have some problems with that.

 

PM: Thomas Jones said, “Hey, we lost because of Brett Favre,” and he ended up eating his words, because of that. He chose not to pursue that a little bit farther.

But the Jets were in pretty good position to go to the playoffs, and if you look at everything that happened those last four or five games, Brett Favre was basically the reason they didn’t go to the playoffs.

 

ME: I think it’s kind of a double-edged sword, because you look at the first two-thirds of the season, and it was Favre this, Favre that, the Favre experiment’s working, the team is 8-3. People are talking about, “Are the Jets gonna get a first-round bye?” People are mentioning the Jets as a Super Bowl contender.

But Favre fell off the wagon in a huge way in that last third of the season, completed fewer than 60 percent of his passes, two touchdowns, nine interceptions…he was really struggling to make throws that throughout his career had just been second nature to him.

Now, if he comes to the Vikings, you’re probably going to get that same kind of up-and-down feeling. Whether it’s deserved or not, at the end of this season, if you have Brett Favre quarterbacking the whole way, you’re going to say either it was Brett Favre who got them to the top of the mountain, or Brett Favre that could not do it.

 

PM: With the Jets, they wound up getting rid of Chad Pennington, who went to Miami and wound up having a really good year for them and appears to be their guy. In Minnesota, it was Gus Frerotte last year, it was Jackson, they ended up adding Rosenfels.

It’s almost like, even Brett Favre—and we don’t know what’s up with the shoulder, we don’t know if it’s 100 percent—but it’s almost like, “Brett Favre’s better than all those guys,” isn’t he?

 

ME: Absolutely…if Brett Favre is anything close to, not even his three-time MVP status, but if he’s anything close to what he was at the beginning of last year, or what he was in 2007 in Green Bay, he’s a tremendous upgrade over Rosenfels, he’s a tremendous upgrade over Tarvaris Jackson.

In regards to Rosenfels, you’re talking about a 31-year-old career backup, a guy who has been distinctly average over his NFL career. He’s a fine second option, he’s a fine veteran presence if you’re trying to push a young quarterback.

But he’s not a long-term solution, he doesn’t have a lot of star power, and he does not have a tremendous track record of success.

When you talk about Tarvaris Jackson, you talk about a guy, who, last season, he threw nine touchdowns, two interceptions, you look at that and say, “Hey, maybe he’s coming along a little bit.”

….Jackson is a guy who only threw for about 117 yards a game last season. What that tells you is the Vikings were not comfortable putting the ball in his hands.

It tells you that they did not think he was the guy who could win games…In that playoff game against the Eagles, Jackson did not look good.

So if you’re got Favre anything close to healthy, if you’ve got an arm that’s anything close to working, you certainly have to look at him as a dramatic upgrade over the position as it stands right now.

 

PM: If he’s healthy, you figure that the majority of the time, he says, “Hike,” and gives the ball to Adrian Peterson. Adrian Peterson’s going to be carrying the load, and that takes a lot of pressure off whoever the quarterback is.

…We know Brett Favre’s getting older, it’s not the Brett Favre of a few years back, but if it’s just the Brett Favre of the first 11 or 12 games with the Jets last year, this is a better Vikings team than they were last year.

 

ME: And I think that’s going to be be the case. Now, what you have to wonder about a little bit is putting Favre in that situation and saying, “OK, you’re the second fiddle on this offense to a feature back.”

Because really, throughout Favre’s career, that’s not really happened. He has always been the focal point of the offense, and he’s never lined up in front of somebody who’s a bigger name than he is.

In Green Bay, Ahman Green had a couple of good years. Favre’s last year there, Ryan Grant kind of came on late. But he’s never shared the backfield with a star running back.

It’s going to be interesting to see, if he ends up in Minnesota, if he’s comfortable in a system where he’s not asked to carry the load, where he’s not asked to win the game by himself, where he’s just asked to kind of get out of the way and make the throws when he needs to make ‘em. It’s going to be interesting to see if that famous Favre ego can handle that.

 

PM: Do you get the feeling that if this doesn’t happen—and I think we all get the feeling it is going to happen—but if it doesn’t happen, the Minnesota faithful are going to be greatly disappointed?

ME: Well, I think at this point, there will certainly be a letdown, because over the last couple weeks, month or so, it’s been kind of an open secret that if everything is alright medically, Favre is gonna end up with the Vikings.

Over the last week, you’ve seen reports pop up from a couple of different sources, you’ve seen reports pop up from Minnesota’s KFAN that there is a contract in place, and that it’s all but a done deal.

So now that it’s come this far, I think that yeah, if Favre doesn’t end up being the guy, Vikings fans are gonna come down off that high a little bit, because they’re not sold on Tarvaris Jackson, and I don’t think they’re convinced that Sage Rosenfels is anything special.

 

PM: Rosenfels put up some pretty good numbers with the Texans, but how much of this with the Vikings organization is about, “Hey, Brett Favre gives up the best chance of winning,” versus, “Brett Favre’s gonna put a lot of seats in the stands.”

 

ME: …I don’t think there’s any question in their minds that Favre gives them the best chance of winning.

I think there is something intoxicating about the idea of bringing him on board. I think it creates a buzz. I don’t know that the Vikings have a whole lot of trouble putting butts in the seats, so to speak…but I think there’s something about Brett Favre that makes both the organization and fans stop and say, “Wow, that would really be something special to have going on this year.”

 

PM: Do you ever wish as a Vikings fan that they played in an outdoor stadium?

 

ME: You know, I don’t. I’ve spent a little too much time in the winter in Minnesota to wish that rationally, and when Zygi Wilf came out a couple years ago and said, “Let’s get an outdoor stadium,” I said, “Great, I’m gonna get a plasma; I will be very comfortable at home if that’s the case.”

And I think Brett Favre would not be thinking about this as seriously as he is if the Vikings played outdoors, because over the last couple years, we’ve seen that that reputation of his as an outdoor quarterback, as a guy who just loves to mix it up in the elements, is not what it used to be.

He did not look comfortable—even dating back to that last playoff game in Green Bay in 2007, he had a couple of bad games last year outdoors, so I think playing indoors this year can only be good for Brett Favre at this point.

 

PM: You know, we all love Brett Favre, Brett Favre’s a great ambassador for football, as long as Brett Favre continues to play, I’ll be a fan of his, but do you ever get the impression that Brett Favre is a little bit overrated?

You talk about the playoff game a couple years ago, throwing the pick against the Giants. He’s thrown a lot of crucial picks in the playoffs. I know he’s done a lot of great things, there’s no question, he’s obviously a Hall of Famer, but do you think because we all like Brett Favre so much, that when you get right down to it, he’s a little overrated?

 

ME: …I don’t think there’s any question that this point that with all the love that’s been heaped on Favre throughout the years, that he is kind of riding a little bit on those ’95, ’96, ’97, really magical seasons…and on the “good old boy” stuff—everybody likes his, “Aw, shucks,” and “He’s a gamer,” “He loves to play the game,” and I think he’s earned that.

I think he certainly has a little bit of an overrated stature at this point. Now, it’s hard to say, because I think that’s kind of a common sentiment, so it’s hard to say when a guy goes from being overrated to being underrated simply because of that backlash.

Talking Brett Favre on Sports Overnight America

Last night, I joined Pat Mauro of Sports Overnight America in the wee hours of the morning to discuss Brett Favre, the Vikings, and the Timberwolves.

In case you missed it—or if 12:40 CDT was past your bedtime—the text of our conversation is below, with a little bit of my excess verbiage trimmed for the sake of brevity.

The Favre and Vikings chatter is covered here. You can read the T’Wolves talk here.

Special thanks to Pat—who was a terrific host—for having me on board.

 

Pat Mauro: Is Brett Favre going to be a Viking? It almost seems like every fan, everyone involved with the Vikings—unless your name is Sage Rosenfels—would like the sound of Brett Favre as quarterback of this team. Am I out there in saying that?

 

Marino Eccher: No, I think you’re pretty on-the-ball there, Pat. First of all, to answer your question, I do think barring a major setback with that arm, you are going to see Brett Favre in a Vikings uniform come training camp time.

And for the most part, I think the team is going to feel pretty good about that. Now obviously, that depends on which Brett Favre you’re getting.

If you get the guy who, through the first 11 games of last year, threw those 22 touchdowns, 13 picks, completed about 70 percent of his passes, well, it’s all good and gravy.

If you get the guy, who went 1-4 to close out the season, couldn’t make a throw to save his life, and ended up needing bicep surgery for a torn tendon, you’re going to have some problems with that.

 

PM: Thomas Jones said, “Hey, we lost because of Brett Favre,” and he ended up eating his words, because of that. He chose not to pursue that a little bit farther.

But the Jets were in pretty good position to go to the playoffs, and if you look at everything that happened those last four or five games, Brett Favre was basically the reason they didn’t go to the playoffs.

 

ME: I think it’s kind of a double-edged sword, because you look at the first two-thirds of the season, and it was Favre this, Favre that, the Favre experiment’s working, the team is 8-3. People are talking about, “Are the Jets gonna get a first-round bye?” People are mentioning the Jets as a Super Bowl contender.

But Favre fell off the wagon in a huge way in that last third of the season, completed fewer than 60 percent of his passes, two touchdowns, nine interceptions…he was really struggling to make throws that throughout his career had just been second nature to him.

Now, if he comes to the Vikings, you’re probably going to get that same kind of up-and-down feeling. Whether it’s deserved or not, at the end of this season, if you have Brett Favre quarterbacking the whole way, you’re going to say either it was Brett Favre who got them to the top of the mountain, or Brett Favre that could not do it.

 

PM: With the Jets, they wound up getting rid of Chad Pennington, who went to Miami and wound up having a really good year for them and appears to be their guy. In Minnesota, it was Gus Frerotte last year, it was Jackson, they ended up adding Rosenfels.

It’s almost like, even Brett Favre—and we don’t know what’s up with the shoulder, we don’t know if it’s 100 percent—but it’s almost like, “Brett Favre’s better than all those guys,” isn’t he?

 

ME: Absolutely…if Brett Favre is anything close to, not even his three-time MVP status, but if he’s anything close to what he was at the beginning of last year, or what he was in 2007 in Green Bay, he’s a tremendous upgrade over Rosenfels, he’s a tremendous upgrade over Tarvaris Jackson.

In regards to Rosenfels, you’re talking about a 31-year-old career backup, a guy who has been distinctly average over his NFL career. He’s a fine second option, he’s a fine veteran presence if you’re trying to push a young quarterback.

But he’s not a long-term solution, he doesn’t have a lot of star power, and he does not have a tremendous track record of success.

When you talk about Tarvaris Jackson, you talk about a guy, who, last season, he threw nine touchdowns, two interceptions, you look at that and say, “Hey, maybe he’s coming along a little bit.”

….Jackson is a guy who only threw for about 117 yards a game last season. What that tells you is the Vikings were not comfortable putting the ball in his hands.

It tells you that they did not think he was the guy who could win games…In that playoff game against the Eagles, Jackson did not look good.

So if you’re got Favre anything close to healthy, if you’ve got an arm that’s anything close to working, you certainly have to look at him as a dramatic upgrade over the position as it stands right now.

 

PM: If he’s healthy, you figure that the majority of the time, he says, “Hike,” and gives the ball to Adrian Peterson. Adrian Peterson’s going to be carrying the load, and that takes a lot of pressure off whoever the quarterback is.

…We know Brett Favre’s getting older, it’s not the Brett Favre of a few years back, but if it’s just the Brett Favre of the first 11 or 12 games with the Jets last year, this is a better Vikings team than they were last year.

 

ME: And I think that’s going to be be the case. Now, what you have to wonder about a little bit is putting Favre in that situation and saying, “OK, you’re the second fiddle on this offense to a feature back.”

Because really, throughout Favre’s career, that’s not really happened. He has always been the focal point of the offense, and he’s never lined up in front of somebody who’s a bigger name than he is.

In Green Bay, Ahman Green had a couple of good years. Favre’s last year there, Ryan Grant kind of came on late. But he’s never shared the backfield with a star running back.

It’s going to be interesting to see, if he ends up in Minnesota, if he’s comfortable in a system where he’s not asked to carry the load, where he’s not asked to win the game by himself, where he’s just asked to kind of get out of the way and make the throws when he needs to make ‘em. It’s going to be interesting to see if that famous Favre ego can handle that.

 

PM: Do you get the feeling that if this doesn’t happen—and I think we all get the feeling it is going to happen—but if it doesn’t happen, the Minnesota faithful are going to be greatly disappointed?

ME: Well, I think at this point, there will certainly be a letdown, because over the last couple weeks, month or so, it’s been kind of an open secret that if everything is alright medically, Favre is gonna end up with the Vikings.

Over the last week, you’ve seen reports pop up from a couple of different sources, you’ve seen reports pop up from Minnesota’s KFAN that there is a contract in place, and that it’s all but a done deal.

So now that it’s come this far, I think that yeah, if Favre doesn’t end up being the guy, Vikings fans are gonna come down off that high a little bit, because they’re not sold on Tarvaris Jackson, and I don’t think they’re convinced that Sage Rosenfels is anything special.

 

PM: Rosenfels put up some pretty good numbers with the Texans, but how much of this with the Vikings organization is about, “Hey, Brett Favre gives up the best chance of winning,” versus, “Brett Favre’s gonna put a lot of seats in the stands.”

 

ME: …I don’t think there’s any question in their minds that Favre gives them the best chance of winning.

I think there is something intoxicating about the idea of bringing him on board. I think it creates a buzz. I don’t know that the Vikings have a whole lot of trouble putting butts in the seats, so to speak…but I think there’s something about Brett Favre that makes both the organization and fans stop and say, “Wow, that would really be something special to have going on this year.”

 

PM: Do you ever wish as a Vikings fan that they played in an outdoor stadium?

 

ME: You know, I don’t. I’ve spent a little too much time in the winter in Minnesota to wish that rationally, and when Zygi Wilf came out a couple years ago and said, “Let’s get an outdoor stadium,” I said, “Great, I’m gonna get a plasma; I will be very comfortable at home if that’s the case.”

And I think Brett Favre would not be thinking about this as seriously as he is if the Vikings played outdoors, because over the last couple years, we’ve seen that that reputation of his as an outdoor quarterback, as a guy who just loves to mix it up in the elements, is not what it used to be.

He did not look comfortable—even dating back to that last playoff game in Green Bay in 2007, he had a couple of bad games last year outdoors, so I think playing indoors this year can only be good for Brett Favre at this point.

 

PM: You know, we all love Brett Favre, Brett Favre’s a great ambassador for football, as long as Brett Favre continues to play, I’ll be a fan of his, but do you ever get the impression that Brett Favre is a little bit overrated?

You talk about the playoff game a couple years ago, throwing the pick against the Giants. He’s thrown a lot of crucial picks in the playoffs. I know he’s done a lot of great things, there’s no question, he’s obviously a Hall of Famer, but do you think because we all like Brett Favre so much, that when you get right down to it, he’s a little overrated?

 

ME: …I don’t think there’s any question that this point that with all the love that’s been heaped on Favre throughout the years, that he is kind of riding a little bit on those ’95, ’96, ’97, really magical seasons…and on the “good old boy” stuff—everybody likes his, “Aw, shucks,” and “He’s a gamer,” “He loves to play the game,” and I think he’s earned that.

I think he certainly has a little bit of an overrated stature at this point. Now, it’s hard to say, because I think that’s kind of a common sentiment, so it’s hard to say when a guy goes from being overrated to being underrated simply because of that backlash.

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