Enough Already: Brett Favre Saga Getting Old

There is no doubt that there are many of you just hoping and praying the legend, Brett Favre, comes out of retirement again and gets his revenge on the Packers by signing with the Vikings.

 

You are all waiting to bow to the king of the gridiron. 

Let me know how that works out for you.

I, myself am in the minority in this situation. I loathe the idea of Brett returning yet again to try and prove to everyone he is bigger than the game and that he can still play a little. I emphasize a little.

Brett Favre is making a mockery of the word “retirement.” It was one thing when we all watched the teary-eyed Favre walk away two years ago to return before the start of the next football season. But this time, he did it over the phone and has made countless comments to anyone who would listen that there was no chance of another comeback.

You think we all would have learned by now.

Now, after recent comments made by Vikings head coach, Brad Childress, the two men are planning to meet and discuss the possibility of a second comeback for the former pro-bowl quarterback.

What makes Favre think he can play anywhere near the level he has in the past? Everyone is quick to forget his 1-4 record over the last five games last season, in which he threw two touchdowns to his nine interceptions, practically costing the Jets’ playoff chances.

Secondly, coming back once can be accepted. But to do it twice is a whole different situation. Just ask Michael Jordan, who is arguably the best player to ever play the game of basketball.

Once again in the minority, Brett Favre is not in the top five players at his position, let alone the game, in my opinion.

There is no question why Brett is doing this.

Yes, he might love the game still; most professionals never lose that. But if anyone thinks the No. 1 reason for this comeback, if it happens, is to give one final shot to the Green Bay Packers organization for not allowing him to come back to their team last season.

It was bad enough last year when he put Aaron Rodgers in a no-win situation, as he tried to replace Favre’s legendary status in Green Bay. Now he wants to do this all over again.

And of course, Favre will be in no rush to make a decision. He will probably drag this out through the summer months until he is good and ready—and Minnesota has named their starter for the year.

Then he will strike again, destroying any chance another young QB may have to build a career.

So the advice I have for Favre: Great career, Brett. You did many spectacular things. But now its time to stand aside, and allow the league to grow without you and create new legends. NFL stands for the National Football League, not the National “Favre” League.

 

 

Andy Reid Changes Draft Style, Goes For Immediate Need

If someone told you that your team would draft one of the top two receivers in the draft, one of the top five running backs, and one of the top three or four tight ends, how would you react?

If you are an Eagles fan one word may fit: FINALLY.

After years of offensive and defensive lineman being drafted early and often, the Eagles changed their plans this year, picking wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, running back LeSean McCoy, and tight end Cornelius Ingram, with their first three picks in the draft respectively.

Maclin was seen as a possible top 10 pick by many scouts throughout the league. Perhaps the Oakland Raiders just missed his workouts, game tape and the combine, as they reached, to say the least, for Darrius Heyward-Bey of Maryland.

It is unlikely that the Birds were looking for a wide receiver with their first pick, especially Maclin. But when he fell to 19, Andy Reid and the Eagles brass made an aggressive move to jump up two spots and grab him without hesitation.

In the second round, most felt the Eagles would need to trade up if they wanted to get the last of the top running backs in the draft. The Birds stood pat, and lone behold, McCoy out of Pittsburgh fell into their laps, and from there it was a no-brainer to draft the kid who many believe is the ideal fit for their system.

It also does not hurt to have the heir apparent to Brian Westbrook, as he will turn 30 before the season. 

On day two, the Eagles began to frustrate fans when they traded out of the third round to stock up on more picks later in the day and next year. Many felt that they still had too many needs to be pulling the “old Eagles way.”

However in the fifth round, they began with six picks. In a bit of a surprising move, instead of using a pick to draft a corner for insurance with the Sheldon Brown situation, the Eagles were able to package two of their fifth rounders and acquire four-year starting corner, Ellis Hobbs, from the New England Patriots.

With a player who has already established himself in the NFL at that position, Reid and company were able to be more flexible in the draft. And with their first pick in the fifth round, the Eagles drafted tight end Cornelius Ingram out of Florida.

Despite missing last season with a torn ACL, many had this young man as the second or third best tight end in the entire draft. Lucky for the Eagles, he fell to them in the fifth and they scooped him up.

Lets recap: A top 10 talent receiver; an All-Pro left tackle; a top five running back; a four-year starting NFL corner; a tight end with a whole lot of upside. 

Understand that it is near impossible to judge a draft before the players actually play a few games, maybe even a few seasons in the NFL. But it sure looks promising right now. It seems as though Andy had a mission this year.

Mission Accomplished.

Brown Backs Self Into a “Corner”

“Something you learn and I’ve learned is you gotta keep everything to yourself.” This was a statement made by Eagles cornerback, Sheldon Brown, last year after teammate, Lito Sheppard did not show up for the teams OTA’s in June.

What a difference a year makes.

Now, one week until the draft, Brown is singing a much different tune. “You don’t want me in that locker room,” Brown told WIP host Howard Eskin today.

Not only has he decided to go public with his request for a trade or new contract, he seems to be threatening to pull a “T.O.” tirade.

As much as it pains me to say, I have to agree with the Eagles front office in this situation. Yes, they are stingy most of the time. Yes, Brian Dawkins should still be wearing an Eagles uniform. Yes, they should just pay the city the money they owe them and leave it alone. But no, they should not renegotiate Sheldon Brown’s contract, in which he signed two years ago and still has four years remaining on it.

Or should they give in and trade him, seeing as though they have no one ready to replace him (Do not even think about saying Joselio Hanson here)?

I agree that there are some circumstances that call for a renegotiation of a contract. If you are in the final year, try and get your money. If you are a top five player at your position, I am all for it. But Sheldon, you fall into neither of these categories. To be honest, you may not be in the top 15 players at your position. 

The other problem here is his argument. The fact that the league has evolved and corners are now paid more money (shocker right??), has no bearing on the contract that he and his agent decided to sign two years ago.

It amazes me when a player in this league says it is a business, but then makes a claim that they should receive more money because when they signed their original deal, they did not know that salaries for players at their positions would increase year to year.

Get with the program fellas.

This is becoming a problem not only with the Eagles, but throughout the NFL. These situations always come on the heels of a teammate or free agent signing a big deal with a team. Larry Fitzgerald says he wants a new contract or to be traded. He gets a contract. What happened? Anyone want to tell me where Anquan Boldin will be next year?

On Monday, the Eagles trade for and sign disgruntled offensive left tackle, Jason Peters, to a multi-year deal. Cue Sheldon Brown and his public remarks. By the way, it is very possible that Jason Peters falls into the “top five players at your position” category discussed earlier. 

Sheldon Brown is a very good player and a leader for this Eagles defense. Is he underpaid according to league standards now? Yes. Without question. Should he be given a raise at some point? Absolutely. But not this year. It is not the time to give a 30-year-old corner a new contract.

You signed it Sheldon. Now live with it.

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