Favre Make Up Your Mind Or Leave The Game Behind

Brett Favre has done it all as quarterback in the National Football League. But a time comes when you just need to shut it down and ride into the sunset. Over the last three years you can see it’s not that easy.

Whether it was that red face teary eyed interview after beating the Bears on Sunday Night Football three years ago, or two years ago when the Packers were yet again so close to another Super Bowl before an OT field goal by the Giants Lawrence Tynes in subzero temperatures.  It’s the same story over and over again with Favre tossing and turning whether he’s ready to give up the game he’s played the last 18 years.

Just when it got to the point of no return. Favre had the Jets atop the AFC East with four weeks to go last year, but a persistent bicep injury hurt ultimately altered Favre’s performance down the stretch. Deep down Broadway Brett was never meant to be.

It wasn’t until the release of Favre from the Jets after drafting Sanchez that this scenario was even possible.  It’s been played out in the media for the last three months. Favre has even had orthopedic surgery on that right throwing shoulder.

That goes to show that he still thinks he can play this game, and at a high level as part of the Minnesota Vikings. Whether he wants to stick it to Ted Thompson or Coach McCarthy, if Favre comes back he’s going to be battling against the organization that gave him it all.

No quarterback in the game has thrown more touchdowns then Favre. No quarterback has thrown more interceptions then him. Brett is the ultimate ironman athlete and his durability over the years is one of the qualities that makes him still believe he can be one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL.

It’s not even about putting about superb stats this year. The major concern is that the Minnesota Vikings win games. They have Adrian Peterson running the ball, and strong willed defensive end Jared Allen. Arguably the best offensive and defensive lines in the league.

Favre is still conflicted at the moment whether he wants to play or not. Maybe that’s all for show, because this media attention has gotten so far out of control that he has to report to training camp as a Viking, or his reputation will be tarnished even further.

His arm could still be slow recovering, but Favre doesn’t need to be the gunslinger he always has been. The Vikings need a quarterback that can manage the game and get the ball down the field with time not big play high risk high reward passes.  Tavaris Jackson is young and unproven, and Sage Rosenfals doesn’t have the experience to lead the Vikings to the Superbowl.

Brett Favre still has the physical and mental ability to succeed in the NFL.  Assuming he is healthy there is no reason he shouldn’t come back. He’s playing a system he accomplished so much in.  Not to mention the two coaches he played for when he was young and inexperienced with Brad Childress head coach and Derell Beverly the offensive coordinator.

On paper Favre seems like a perfect fit being able to play inside at home is another added bonus. If he’s going to play in 2009 it’s about time he comes out and tells the world. Enough of this guessing and flip flopping whether or not we will see number four in purple.

If Favre’s arm doesn’t heal correctly and he truly can’t play then that’s too bad and that should be the last of Favre news for at least six months. If Favre comes back for a third time he needs to with 100% commitment as one of the guys.  His goal should be to go out with a Super Bowl title delivered to Minnesota.

Brett is way past his prime days as an NFL quarterback, but he still has what it takes to win in this league. Whether or not he can keep it together for an entire season throughout the playoffs is yet to be seen.  The Vikings players have personally reached out to Favre only making the decision on him that much tougher.

It seems like since the day the Jets released him, the Vikings have been the team that have targeted him on their radar. They believe he’s that one missing piece to the puzzle that could put them over the top.

Wherever and whenever Favre steps on an NFL playing field there’s only the chance of some football magic. It’s the reputations he holds both positive and negative. His career numbers speak for themselves. There’s still something in him that’s pushing him back to the game he loves for a 19th season.

Very soon we will hear from Favre and what he’s feeling. There’s a burden on Favre and the attention he’s generated in the media and with the Vikings organization has put him in this position.

If he does comeback like most people believe he will it better be for the right reasons. Revenge against the Packers would only do a lot of damage in the end. Favre should be focused on being a leader in the Vikings locker room and using his leadership abilities to instill trust in his player on Minnesota.

If Favre truly shuts it down for good, his career has to be applauded. It also has to be the last chapter written in a storied book career. There’s no turning back after this decision if he is really ready to give up the game he’s played since he was a little kid.

It’s as simple as that Brett. You’ve had an amazing ride, but this retirement saga year after year has gone overboard. This is the tip of the iceberg and there’s a breaking point one way or another. Favre make up your mind on playing for the Vikings in 2009 or leave the game you love behind like any other classic athlete would.

 

I Guess It’s About Time We Covered This Ben Roethlisberger Thing

You know the story by now. Ben Roethlisberger has been accused of rape.

I’m not going to re-hash the basic stories. Everyone knows that the accuser filed a civil suit with no criminal charges, which means there won’t be an actual police investigation. Most media outlets have already touched on the “Ben always has a traumatic event following a Super Bowl” story. (Honestly, is two times really enough to denote a pattern?)

What I’m going to say is very simple:

This is a shame.

Obviously, if the charges are true, it’s a shame. Any time a rape occurs, it’s a shame. Ben Roethlisberger’s status as a famous athlete makes it no better and no worse. And if it’s true, the fact that he’s the QB for my favorite team won’t do a thing to help me forgive him.

But it’s also a shame if the charges are false. If they’re false, it proves that people will do anything for money. It shows that innocent people make prime targets. Just like with Kobe, even if Roethlisberger is found innocent, people are going to look at him like a rapist for the rest of his life. Some will say he only got an innocent verdict because he’s famous.

I think it’s fishy that there are no criminal charges. If myself or someone I love were sexually assaulted, the first thing I would want is justice, not money. I can’t speak for this woman, but that’s my point of view.

Hopefully the legal process will bring a correct verdict out of this—even if that verdict is a guilty one. For the sake of everyone involved, I hope that’s not the case.

Paul Posluzny: Gained Mass in Offseason

I happen to work part-time at a fine grocery market, one where Bills players frequent since it’s location is located just a few miles from the Ralph. 

This afternoon Paul Posluszny happened to drop in, probably stocking up on some dormitory food for camp later this week.

Beyond the gawks from females and every employee pointing him out, I noticed something different this time about Poz.

He’s monstrous. Please, take my word for it.

I didn’t stalk the guy, but he’s noticeably larger than his rookie season when I first saw him in person.

In my estimation, he needed to add the weight in order to compete on the interior in the AFC East.

Posluszny now looks more like a prototypical middle linebacker. He’s thicker and he’s broader. 

Before, I always believed he served better as an outside backer because of his speed and his mediocre size.  

But, if there’s any question whether he can meet fullbacks in the hole, I’m confident that he has the physicality to do that now.

Posluszny relies on his instincts and quickness to get to ball carriers. But last season, too many times, he didn’t consistently shed brute offensive lineman. 

This season, I’m expecting to see Posluszny go through would-be blockers rather than to try and slip around them. 

His talent has always been unquestioned, but now it appears he has the muscle to withstand NFL offensive lineman through a 16 game regular season. 

 

 

Shaun Hill Inspires Confidence, Could Start As ‘Niners QB

At least one 49ers starter has not left any doubt the quarterback that he says is the team’s choice: Shaun Hill.

I will let that player’s name remain unknown, as I don’t really want to contribute to any team disunity.

But why Hill?

Because he exudes confidence, despite not being a particularly artistic passer. Who needs artistic? Especially when the myth of the Montana-led 49ers were a “finesse” team.

Yeah, ask Eric Dickerson and other running backs and receivers who had the snot knocked out of them by a ferocious 49ers defense.

Factor in the fact that after serious back surgery, Montana came back and won two Super Bowls, and nearly a third.

I’m ready for rough-and-tumbe oldtime ‘Niner ball.

Back to Hill. Why him? Because he has won games when the other quarterbacks have mostly imploded. With the turnstile that keeps bringing successive waves of offensive coordinators through Santa Clara, has this been fair to Alex Smith?

Not completely.

But that doesn’t change the reality about Hill being the players’ favorite, if the player I heard is accurately reflecting the team’s belief.

But why Hill?

1. With Hill under or behind center, the 49ers will usually be in the game
2. Hill has won more than lost
3. Despite ugly duckling passes, Hill has not exhibited the turnover gene that we witnessed last season in that other guy.
4. Hill can move the ball.
5. He comes ready to play on Sundays
6. A guy named Frank Gore will take the pressure off Hill
7. A hopefully revitalized receiving corps and a rookie with a lot of promise might be able to snag more of those ducklings for gains and scores.

 

Top 10 Rookies from the Second-Seventh Round Who Will Make an Impact in 2009 Part One: Offense

There have been careers made and broken in the NFL. Some that achieved success in their careers by winning a championship or becoming a future Hall of Famer. The Draft is the event where there are names who are a buy or bust. Every year we wonder who will be the first pick of the Draft. Also we have a cheat sheet and predict who will be taken by what team in the draft. We focus on the players from first round more. Sure gus like Knowshon Moreno (Denver), Jeremy Maclin (Philadelphia), Matt Stafford (Detroit), Jason Smith (St. Louis) & etc could make an impact but what about guys in the later rounds?

The players from the 2nd to 7th Round have always made an impact. Look at guys like Tom Brady who was drafted by the New England Patriots in the 6th round and took the Patriots to the Super Bowl and won 3 titles. Also Devin Hester, Zach Thomas, Jason Taylor, Brandon Marshall, Anquan Boldin, I can go on about who found success despite not being drafted in the first round.

Join me as we look at who are top 10 of rookies from the Second to Seventh Round who will make an impact this coming season. Cause you know every there’s somebody that will jump at you. First it’s all about the offense in this 2-part article. Before I go to my top ten list here are the players who didn’t make the cut but will also make an impact on their team.

BONUS PLAYERS TO LOOK AT
Kraig Urbik G Pittsburgh 3rd Round Draft Pick
Troy Kropog T Tennessee 4th Round Draft Pick
Gartrell Johnson RB San Diego 4th Round Draft Pick
Corneilus Ingram TE Philadelphia 5th Round Draft Pick
Jamon Meredith T Green Bay 5th Round Draft Pick
Quinn Johnson FB Green Bay 5th Round Draft Pick

OUTSIDE THE TOP 10:
20.Rashad Jennings RB Jacksonville 7th Round Draft Pick
19.Sammie Stroughter WR Tampa Bay 7th Round Draft Pick
18.Jaguars WR’s (Mike Thomas 4th Round Draft Pick, Jarrett Dillard 5th Round Draft Pick, or Tiquan Underwood 7th Round Draft Pick)
17.Shawn Nelson TE Buffalo 4th Round Draft Pick
16.Louis Vasquez G San Diego 3rd Round Draft Pick
15.Andre Brown RB NY Giants 4th Round Draft Pick
14.Austin Collie WR Indianapolis 4th Round Draft Pick
13.Mike Wallace WR Pittsburgh 3rd Round Draft Pick
12.Eben Britton T Jacksonville 2nd Round Draft Pick
11.Andy Levitre G Buffalo 2nd Round Draft Pick

Philadelphia Eagles: Peters Vs Cole: A Great Training Camp Battle

When training camp begins and the pads go on, there will be very few battles more exciting to watch than Cole versus Peters.

Trent Cole was selected in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft.  Since taking over the right defensive end in week 10 of the 2005 season, Cole has been a beast.

In 2007, just his third season, Cole led the team with 12.5 sacks.  Just a year later he tallied nine sacks, while frequently fighting double teams.  In 2008 Cole was selected to the Pro-Bowl.

After the 2008 season, long time Eagles Tra Thomas signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, leaving a big hole at left tackle.

To fill the void at left tackle, the Eagles traded for disgruntled pro-bowler Jason Peters.

During his time in Buffalo, Peters earned his was to two Pro-Bowls, and became recognized as one of the top LTs in the game.

Peters had an off year in 2008; his holdout could have had something to do with it. 

Playing on a Super-Bowl caliber team and working with one of the best O-line coaches in the NFL gives Peters a great chance to establish himself as the best tackle in the NFL.

Lining up Peters and Cole should produce a fierce battle everyday in training camp, a battle that can only bring out the best in the two young players.

If the two Pro-Bowlers get any better, which they should, the rest of the league has every reason to fear this team.

Free Michael Vick!

This past week, Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was released from federal custody.

However, he is still being held captive by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

ESPN has reported that Goodell and Vick met for several hours on Wednesday to discuss possible reinstatement. Rumor has it that Vick may be back as soon as next week, but with an additional penalty of a four game suspension.

I may be in the minority here, but hasn’t Mr. Vick already paid an enormous penalty for his participation in dog fighting? He served two years in the federal penal system with most of that time actually spent in prison.

How is it that a man can be vilified for fighting and killing dogs and imprisoned for two years, yet a man that kills another man while driving under the influence (Donte Stallworth) gets a 30 day jail sentence and his license revoked?

Is the life of a dog more valuable than that of a human? I think not. Since when do civil liberties extend to animals?

Forget PETA. Maybe we need PETOP? People for the Ethical Treatment of Other People!

I still can’t believe that some people think justice was served by incarcerating Michael Vick. I find it even harder to believe that some people think he got off easy.

Vick’s career has been derailed. He lost his primary source of income (football), his secondary source of income (endorsements) and has two years of his life that he can never get back. Vick has paid his debt to society and should be allowed to resume his football career without further penalty.

I am amazed at some of the comments regarding Vick posted on the internet. People have said things like, “Michael Vick is evil” and “The man has a flawed character like a child abuser or sex offender, the kind that needs to be taken off the street and away from decent society.”

I respond to these comments by saying, “Are you kidding me?”

Take a man off the street forever because he killed some dogs? Why don’t we take all racists off the street as well? It can be argued that racists are evil. It is certainly not Godly to attack people for looking different or having different religious beliefs. Oh, but racism is not a crime, is it?

But discrimination is. The NFL is discriminating against Michael Vick by not allowing him to return to work. It’s as if he checked the “yes” box on a job application that asks if you have ever been convicted of a crime.

Does everybody that commits a crime deserve a second chance? No. Does the punishment always fit the crime? No. Michael Vick and Donte Stallworth have both been unfairly punished for their actions, Vick too harshly and Stallworth not harsh enough.

The court of public opinion will deliberate for months whether Michael Vick should be allowed to resume his NFL football career. Apparently, Roger Goodell will deliberate for another week.

It’s time to free Michael Vick now and let him get on with his life.

Predicting the Entire NFL Season

Be prepared for a long one, folks.

I’m predicting everything! Awards, standings, breakout players.

Everything.

You see the man pictured, Adrian Peterson?

He’s your MVP.

We’ll cover that. Eventually.

Let’s start with some standings, shall we?

From there, we’ll go the Playoffs, Super Bowl Champ, Pro Bowl Roster, and Awards!

Five Under the Radar Stories At New York Giants Training Camp

The 2009 NFL season is fast approaching, and teams are ready to start preparing.

Two-a-days will determine battles all across the league. Whether it be their starting quarterback, or starting outside linebacker, each team has battles.

The 2007 Super Bowl champion, New York Giants are no different.

Coming off a 12-4 season with a playoff birth that ended against Philadelphia, the Giants have a lot of questions to answer.

Who will step up for Plaxico Burress? How will the loss of Steve Spagnuolo effect the defense?

Those questions however are the ones everyone is asking, what about the ones no one is talking about? I rank my top five under the radar stories heading into Giants training camp.

Mangini By The Numbers: What To Expect This Season (Offense)

Whenever there’s a new coach in town, the fans and media can’t help but speculate how he will change the shape of the team. Will the offense be led by an aerial attack, a smashmouth ground game, or a balance between the two? The mainstream media has reported it both ways, on one hand, saying Eric Mangini is a tough coach that brings a hard hitting running game. On the other hand, they’ve said he favors a pass heavy attack with a range of deep routes.

So which is it?

Cleveland is the second stop for Mangini, his first stop as head coach was with the New York Jets from 2006-2008. In his three seasons with New York, he led the team to a 23-25 record and a playoff birth. While obviously it’s not an amazing record, for a rookie coach, it’s to be expected. Entering his fourth season, with three years of experience under his belt, he looks to take on the daunting task of leading the legendary Browns from shambles back to NFL glory.

Let’s try and figure out how it will be done.

In 2006, the offense was led by Chad Pennington and used a three running back system led by Washington with 151 attempts, Barlow with 131 attempts, Houston with 113 attempts, and a mix of receivers rushing for 59 attempts. They totaled 491 attempts, while the mix of quarterbacks passed for 488 attempts. So 2006 resulted in Mangini’s system almost completely balanced, with Rushing close to 51 percent of the time.

In 2007, the offense was led by Chad Pennington again and used a two back system led dominately by Thomas Jones with 310 attempts, Leon Washington bumping down to only 71 attempts, and the receivers combining for a mere 16. The whole season they amassed 512 passing attempts while rushing for 446 attempts. So 2007 was obviously a big swing to the aerial attack now that Pennington was more comfortable throwing.

In 2008, the offense was led by Brett Favre and used the same two backs, this time Jones carrying 290 times, while Washington picked up 76 attempts, and the receivers getting 32 chances. The “Brett Favre Experiment” complicates the numbers a little since obviously Brett was given more room to make decisions on his own, throwing 529 times, and leaving 422 to the rushing department. So 2008 was a huge difference to the pass, but is the air really Mangini’s preference or Brett Favre’s?

What can we conclude about what to expect in 2009? It relies heavily on the quarterback chosen.

While the numbers don’t mean a whole lot, it does point to the fact that when Mangini has a stronger armed, confident quarterback under center, he definitely likes to air it out and see what happens. With a younger, passive, inexperienced quarterback though, it appears balanced on the ground as well as in the air.

If Derek Anderson is chosen I think we can expect a year more like 2007 with more of an emphasis on the pass, since he has a stronger arm and can get the ball downfield in a hurry.

If Brady Quinn is chosen I think we can expect more a year like 2006 with a balanced attack, a three back system, and a combination of jack option plays, since Quinn is still new to the NFL.

I would say by the news coming out of Berea, Mangini is leaning towards Quinn. Which means we will make the most of our three running back’s varying styles, and use Cribbs and Massaquoi in a multitude of jack option handoffs and schemes, much like he did in 2006 with the Jets. 

 

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