The Crystal Ball To Favre or not To Favre

I don’t know about you, but I just love this time of year. There is nothing better than training camp and preseason. Sure, it’s not the real thing, nothing truly beats that. But it’s the eternal hope that springs forth from each camp that this could be our year. It’s the anticipation that soon, oh so very soon, the regular season will start. It’s the eagerness you see on the camp hopefuls playing to make a spot on the team.

32 teams and 80 players in each camp equal 2560 players looking to grab one of only 1696 available jobs, not counting practice squads. But from June through August, we no longer had professional football; we had the National Favre League.

Yes, I know the furor has died down, but I wanted to wrap it up and put my own bow on the preceding events. This situation generated far too much press than it was worth. I think we all can agree to that. And lets get one thing clear, this was all orchestrated by Brett, a man who knows how to get press, and bungled by the Packers, a team who did not know what to do when this fight went out into the media. I mean come on, an open competition at quarterback? That’s insulting to both Rodgers and Favre, plus how would Rodgers possibly win that battle? There was no way to save face for them, just to endure it until they found a way out. They did, eventually, but not until the rest of us had our ears bleeding from overexposure. I mean, I had life long diehard Packer fans say enough is enough, just get rid of him. What does that tell you?

The coverage was just out of control, and that’s putting it mildly. Adam Schefter at the Hall of Fame ceremonies was almost embarrassing to watch. If it wasn’t his up to the second reporting of what was happening in Green Bay at the time, then it was his asking of every Hall of Famer their take on the situation. Why should they care? This weekend is not about Favre, but about them. Hey, maybe when he gets there it can be about Favre, until then, leave it alone.

Oh, and NBC was no better. When they were broadcasting, they kept cutting to Family Night in Green Bay. What was family night? An overhyped intra-squad scrimmage. Cutting away to that event apparently took president over the game at hand, one actually between two different teams. And of course Schefter kept trolling the sidelines for player opinions, and Madden was almost giddy with the possibility of another season with Favre.

The worst was easily the NFL Network, who had a ticker running at the bottom of the screen with the latest updates on the Favre situation. Was that really necessary? Then their updates before the hour would run Favre stories and show footage of him arriving in Green Bay, then subsequently leaving Green Bay. It ran almost continuously on their nightly news hour. I saw so much of Brett and Deanna arriving and leaving Green Bay, with so many camera angles and reporters discussing the ramifications of every car move, plane de-boarding and re-boarding I thought Al Cowlings must have been flying the jet.

Heck, the media even got to the point in the overexposure of this “story” where they made fun of themselves for over blowing every part of the saga. So at least they recognized their foolishness. But that certainly did not stop them from continuing down the path to all things Favre. No, they used that self degradation as a springboard into even more Favre stories.

Here’s a note to those in the media, networks, NFL front offices and anyone else who makes a living off of pro football. Most of us do not care what Favre does from minute to minute. Most of us don’t care what he does with any of his time except for about 3 hours every Sunday. You know who cares about his every breath? Favre, Aaron Rodgers (to make sure he’s losing now), Mike McCarthy (same), Ted Thompson (in hopes of using him as a promotional tool when he finally “retires”), Adam Schefter, Peter King, John Madden, Jets Fans and Chad Pennington (only for revenge). That’s it. And half those names you can remove from the list completely. It’s not many people. So quit telling us about his every move.

Honestly, I believe Peter King and Schefter are already speaking in a language all their own; one reminiscent of the Smurfs. Except they use Favre instead of Smurf.

Peter: Hey Adam how are you today?

Adam: Just Favre-y and yourself?

Peter: Pretty Favre I must say.

Adam: That’s Favre-riffic!

You think I’m kidding, but put those two in a locked room and see what happens.



And I know what you’re thinking. What are you getting your panties in a bunch for? Since he was traded to New York, the fervor has died down! Has it? We get reports of Brett in camp. About how he is running laps for screwing up plays or that his arm is tired. That he’s learning the playbook and when he threw his first preseason touchdown. Blah blah blah.

The trade merely marked the end of the beginning. Now we’ll get a whole new bunch of nonsense. Brett’s first regular season game as a Jet. Brett’s first touchdown as a Jet. Brett’s first win as a Jet. Brett’s first loss as a Jet. Brett’s first fumble as a Jet. Brett’s first gun slinging heroics to win a game as a Jet. Brett’s first boner of an interception to lose a game as a Jet. Brett’s first boos as a Jet. Brett’s first playoff game as a Jet. Brett’s first retirement as a Jet.

The craziness will never abate. Peter King, commenting on Favre’s debut preseason game, was almost incredulous that the stadium was half full and called out the New York fans for their lack of support. Peter, relax, it’s a freaking preseason game. No one cares and no one wants to spend good money to watch Favre, no matter his greatness, muddle through the handful of plays he’s learned for two offensive series. Give it a break. How soon before Peter is inviting Brett over for weekly dinners at the King household? I say it’s already started.

And already the league is salivating over how much hype they can generate over this. First Favre and the Jets get to go against the Dolphins in week 1. Here Favre will face the man he shoved out of a job, Chad Pennington. Then in week 2, whoa Nellie, Favre takes on Tom Brady and the Patriots. Just the thought alone is enough to make Madden’s head explode. And you don’t think we’ll be hearing about that game every minute of every day leading up to kickoff? And that’s just the first two games! Oh, it will never, ever end.

Well, it will, when the Madden 2009 curse strikes and Favre goes down with some weird and completely unforeseen injury. Then the Packers will look like geniuses, and the Jets will look like the Jets. And even then, I’m sure Adam and Peter will report from their vigils at Favre’s bedside as he convalesces. Its Favre’s world now, we just exist in it.

A side note to Jets fans. You are not going to the playoffs, you are not winning the Super Bowl and you most likely will not even have a winning record. You spent big money on over the hill players in a win now approach, but some of them will be completely unfamiliar with their positions or their playbooks and a new offensive system (Jenkins and Favre) and all of them will be unfamiliar with each other. And most importantly, Mangini is still your coach. So get over yourselves.


Moving on, in case you did not notice, there were happenings going on around the league that did not involve Brett the Great.

Condolences go out to the family of Gene Upshaw, who passed away recently. Gene was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died only days later. A hall of fame guard with the Raiders and the longtime head of the players union, Gene left his mark on professional football in a way very few individuals have. You will be missed.

While I thought his handling of benefits for older retired players was poor, or at least how he went about it publically, he still did more for the players in the league and in the union then arguably any union chief in any industry. With the collective bargaining agreement now void after 2010 and with no clear successor trained or taught the many things Gene knew, I am very interested to see how this will affect the new round of negotiations. Things could get really crazy before a new agreement is in place.

In the biggest under reported story of the year, Roger Goodell met with the Rooney brothers and said, basically, we’d like you to sell to Dan. And the other owners would like that as well. He also pointed out if they sell to an outside party, mainly Stanley Druckenmiller as he is the only real suitor at this point, they better be sure because it only takes 9 no votes to skunk a deal. Hmmm, seems Dan’s status as BMOC in the owner’s meetings carries a little weight.

I don’t think the brothers are being acrimonious about the sale, but it is a shame that this situation has dragged out for this long, and that it needs to be mediated by the league commissioner. I hope they all can come to some agreement soon with no hard feelings. Family is very important; you never want to alienate your closest relatives, especially over something that, at the end of the day, is as trivial as money.

I love that about this time of year all the sportswriters turn back to football and all the football exclusive writers awake from their long summer’s naps to pour information upon us. Ahhh, to be showered in NFL coverage once again.

But with that coverage also come the asinine preseason predictions. Like for instance, is Dr. Z serious when he predicts the Eagles will finish at the top of the NFC East? The ultra competitive NFC East? The division with the defending Super Bowl Champions? The division that sent three teams to the playoffs last year? The division where the Eagles finished dead last with a record of 8-8?

Look, McNabb might be back to 100% healthy again, and Westbrook is a demon, and the addition of Asante Samuel is beautiful, but I have my doubts about a team that relies so heavily on the pass yet refuses to grab for top tier receiving talent. How can you expect your offense to work if you have Joe Shmo running routes?

I know it might shock you, but once again the Patriots are the favorites to win the Super Bowl. I know, who would have thought? Apparently, even though 7 of the last 10 Super Bowl losers have gone on to have losing seasons the next year; this will not affect New England. Despite the fact they lost their perfect season in the most gut wrenching way possible! Oh, that’s fun to say still!

Programming note for those interested, since we’re on the topic. The NFL Network will debut the America’s Game episode on the 2007 New York Giants Wednesday September 3rd at 9pm eastern. I’m sooooo tuning in.

Oh happy day! The NFL has reinstated Adam “Don’t call me Pacman” Jones and cleared him to play this season for the Cowboys. Let the me-first drama begin!

Kicker Mike Vanderjagt missed three field-goal attempts in his debut with the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL. Bah ha ha! Wow that missed kick at the end of the Steelers/Colts playoff game really screwed him up. That’s a shame.

Lovie Smith and the Bears finally rubbed two brain cells together and named Kyle Orton their opening day starter. FINALLY! Now we’ll all see the power of the neck beard!

Texans wide receiver Harry Williams, who had a frightening injury last week, is on the road to recovery. Williams suffered a cracked vertebrae and ligament damage in his neck and was carted off the field. Mercifully he is walking and moving on his own. He will be unable to play football again, but I’m just glad he’ll live a normal life. Football is a violent game, and the reminders of such can be devastating.

Osi Umenyiora injured his left knee requiring surgery and will miss the entire 2008 campaign. The Giants, perhaps thinking of a way to shore up a now thin line and get some great press, reached out to Michael Strahan in hopes he might return for one more go around. Michael preferred to remain on vacation and in his new cushy studio job. Not that I blame him for that. Every athlete wants to go out on top. Tell me a better way to go out than Strahan did last February?

Shawne Merriman has two torn ligaments in his left knee and has been told by doctors that he could suffer a possible career-ending injury if he attempts to play without surgery. According to reports, Merriman will forgo surgery, risk the career ending injury and play anyway. Apparently, common sense does not always play a part in decision making.

Steven Jackson ended his “holdout” from camp and signed a new deal with the Rams. Funny how the end of his hold out corresponded with the end of the main part of training camp. Could there be a coincidence? Nah.

After watching one too many performances of Faust and Damn Yankees, the Bungles went back on their word to clean up the team and resigned habitual problem child Chris Henry. It is to laugh, tee hee. Do they really wonder now why they stink? They have to know, right?

After being banished to a stationary bike for the first two weeks of training camp because of reporting in overweight, Casey Hampton emerged from his exile a bit thinner and no worse for wear. Coach Tomlin wanted Casey a bit slimmer so he can be more effective, but Casey did not see things the same way. I agree with Tomlin’s decision and punishment and think he should totally lay down the law. But what did Tomlin expect from a man who goes by the nickname Big Snack?

Anquan Boldin spent part of his off season at the T.O. School for prima donna receivers. Despite not posting any numbers thus far in his career to be considered a top 5 receiver, he now wants paid like one. And thus far he’s been causing a big stink about how he feels he’s being treated and his opinion on the Cardinals. Yep, this is TOTALLY their year.

Much like Punxsutawney Phil showing his head in February, the rite of passage into fall of discussions regarding the need for 4 preseason games has made its presence known. With the season ending loss of Osi Umenyiora, and significant injuries to the likes of Shawne Merriman, Jeff Saturday and others, pundits and teams are again bemoaning the need for these preseason games.

I tend to agree. The games are pointless, they never really tell you anything about how the team will ultimately perform come September and you run the risk of damaging your best players. But until the league and the owners find another way to replace the revenue they make from these beauties, guess what? We’ll still have 4 preseason games. I’d say boycott buying tickets, but since they’re usually wrapped up in season ticket packages that’s a no go. Here’s an idea. You want them to really take the notion of less preseason games seriously? Just don’t go. The loss of parking and concession revenue will hurt them more than constant complaining.

And to close things out, the best gem of all. Chad Johnson has said he has contemplated changing his last name to Ocho Cinco. 85 said this change would mean all the announcers would have to say it, the reporters would have to say it, the league would have to let him wear it on his jersey and he and the team could make money from merchandising. All I want to know is why have I not seen a petition circulating to make this happen?!?!?

Next Week: It begins….

Five Ring Circus

Another Olympics has come and gone. A whirlwind two weeks filled with the best athletes and competitors in the world striving to attain the title of Olympic champion. The games are truly unique events that bring out the national pride in many who watch their countrymen compete to be called the best. It allows us to really put aside our cultural differences and come together as one world. It provides a glimpse of hope of how things could be one day, if we would just learn to work together.

I was not going to get into the games that much this time around, for one reason or another they did not hold that strong a draw on me. I planned on just checking in from time to time. I did watch part of the opening ceremonies, and my interest was piqued. And I did catch some other first day events as well, which held certain thrills. But once I watched Jason Lezak make that spectacular comeback to assist the American team in winning the 4 x 100m freestyle relay, like many I was hooked. And it was for me a memorable two weeks, filled with ups, downs, annoyances, thrills, disappointments and things we’ll keep with us for a long time.

I wish I were in half the shape now at my age as Dara Torres is at 41. Best silver medal I’ve ever seen won. The gold medalist in that race should consider herself lucky she was one one-hundredth of a second faster.

Really? The International Olympic Committee needs to request the International Gymnastics Federation to investigate the age of Chinese women’s gymnasts? A pair of eyes is no longer good enough to know those girls are far under the required age of 16? I’m not sure which I am, too cynical or too full of good old fashioned common sense.

The women’s gymnastic teams may have been cheated by an alleged age scandal and favorable judging for the home team, but they still did something special; they competed with dignity and class. Not one of them blamed each other for mistakes that may have costs points, and none of them used their competitors’ potential Age-Gate scandal as an excuse for not winning the overall gold. Of all the gymnasts on Team USA, I felt the worst for Alicia Sacramone. She worked so hard for this opportunity, and two mistakes will be what many remember most of her performances. And unfortunately she took the brunt of criticism from the media for the teams silver medal placement. Alicia, you deserve much better than that, and you know it. Hold your head up high. The team would not have gone as far as it did without you always remember that.

I have three letters for Usain Bolt. W-O-W. Usain, just a piece of advice as you return home a conquering hero. I know more than a few people have been giving you static about showboating at the end of the 100 meter dash. They can cram it with walnuts. When you are that much faster than your closest competition, you can showboat all you want and tell everyone else, over your shoulder of course, to suck eggs.

Michael Phelps may be the most decorated single games Olympian of all time, and most likely after 2012 the most decorated of all time, but that does not necessarily make him the greatest. I think the adjective of greatest should be reserved for the groundbreaking contributions of Jim Thorpe, Jesse Owens, Babe Didrikson, Tommie Smith and John Carlos and others like them. While those athletes may not have as many medals as Phelps, how they changed the games and the world puts them squarely in discussion of the greatest Olympian of all time. And while Phelps’ accomplishment is monumental, and I certainly do not want to take anything away from the herculean effort and incredible drive it took him to accomplish the previously though unattainable goal he set for himself. The previously mentioned Olympians and others may have done more to further the games themselves and equality in society at large.

That being said, Phelps is without a doubt amazing and one of the greatest athletes and cold blooded competitors I have ever seen. He said once he wants to feel like Superman on the blocks. Guess what Michael, you ARE Superman. And he has a great attitude, outlook on life and is generally very likeable and accessible. He has kept himself very grounded despite his incredible talent. Plus he is so disarming with that goofy grin of his. When he breaks that smile out, anyone else think he looks like Eli Manning? I said that for days and finally felt vindicated when Bob Costas said it one night during the broadcast. I can’t wait for a commercial with the two of them. He might be a secret 4th Manning kid.

Since Phelps sucked the air out of the Water Cube, it was pretty easy to lose sight of the remainder of the Men’s and Women’s swim teams, with the exception of Torres and Lezak. But both teams threw out stellar performance after stellar performance, with records broken and medals won in seemingly every event. Kudos to two well trained, well disciplined and fantastic teams. And a special kudos to Natalie Coughlin, who hauled in 6 medals herself. If not for Phelps 8 gold medals, she might have been the swimming story of the games. Fun fact about Natalie I found out yesterday, in 11 final round Olympic events, she has won 11 medals.

Who else was thoroughly amused by Alain Bernard stating the French relay team would smash the Americans in the pool? Alain, Alain, Alain, do you not know you NEVER trash talk before an event unless you are Muhammad Ali? That only adds fuel to the fire. Just ask Lezak. Someone get this boy a subscription to DirecTV’s entire set of sports packages so he can learn how American athletes respond to call outs and trash talking.

I am convinced Shawn Johnson also did some training at the Mary Lou Retton School of Cute As A Button. She is just adorable, with those big cute Chicklet teeth and one heck of an athlete to top it off. I still cannot believe she’s only 4’ 9”. Her best moment to me is when she left the floor with her other competitors in the balance beam event, with her gold medal performance behind her. As she walked away, you could tell she was having the most difficult time trying to remain set and professional and keep from smiling her 1000 megawatt smile. Luckily for all of us watching, she kept failing.

The Men’s and Women’s beach volleyball teams put on a stellar show. May-Treanor and Walsh are just a machine; there is no way around it. Rogers and Dalhausser were wicked efficient in dispatching opponent after opponent. Except when I watched the Men’s team I kept thinking, so that’s what Billy Corgan has been up to lately.

Kudos goes out to the US Men’s Indoor Volleyball team who submitted one of the most inspirational victories of these Olympics. And congratulations and condolences to their head coach Hugh McCutcheon, who started off the games with untold tragedy as his father in law was stabbed to death and finished the two weeks coaching his team to the gold medal, the first for the US in 20 years. Such an emotional rollercoaster of triumph and tragedy is hard to fathom.

And congratulations to the Men’s Water Polo team, who grabbed the silver medal and put up a valiant fight against the heavily favored Hungarian juggernaut. Their triumph was the first medal for the US Men’s Water Polo team in 20 years.

Anyone else feel horrible, and sick to their stomach, watching the Olympic performance of Hungarian weight lifter Janos Baranyai? What a horrible way to end your first Olympic experience.

The Redeem Team did exactly what they set out to do, restore Men’s basketball to prominence on the international scene. See kids how playing with respect for each other, your opponents and a big dollop of teamwork can do? Plus, this team far more than others previous really took to heart being a part of Team USA and supporting their fellow American athletes. Didn’t it seem like at least one player from that team, if they were not competing or practicing, was at almost every event?

I dug seeing the sports that never get the kind of attention usually reserved for sprinting and relay events, gymnastics and swimming. I had more fun watching events such as trampoline, badminton, ping pong, weight lifting, BMX, sculls, canoeing, fencing, cycling, equestrian and others which never get the prime time lights or will have a chance at an athlete adorning a Wheaties box. A few of the events I watched I never knew existed. Which made the experience that much more thrilling. Kudos to those athletes who compete to be the best at what they do, no matter how dim and brief the spotlight may be.

I noted two very remarkable changes in our world in the last twenty years that were on display at these games.

Twenty years ago the communist Soviet Union was our biggest enemy. We competed against them with purpose, and many my age grew up being taught that the Soviet system was evil because of their oppressive government and their horrible humanitarian record the world wide. Now? Russia is our ally, and the biggest communist country in the world is China. Do we look upon them as an enemy because they are communist? Do we look upon their government as evil because of their far more atrocious humanitarian record or their oppressive government? No. We overlook these things, buddy up with them and act real nice, turning a blind eye to their many indiscretions and accept at face value the all is well front they erected for the games because of their 1 billion + untapped and unexploited consumers. And to think at one point we thought political ideologies ruled the world.

Team USA gymnast Nastia Liukin won 5 medals in Women’s gymnastics, including a silver medal in the team all around and the gold in individual all around. Team USA gymnast Alexander Artemev, a last minute replacement added to the Men’s team, used his performance on the pommel horse to help the Men’s team capture the team all around bronze medal. Both of these stellar athletes are children of former world champion gymnasts. More specifically, they are the children of former world champion Soviet gymnasts. Nastia’s father Valeri was an Olympic champion for the USSR, and Alexander’s father Vladimir was a world champion gymnast who missed his Olympic window due to the Soviet’s boycott of the 1984 games. And now, these two men live in the United States and their children compete for America. Wow, we really have come a long way in 20 years.

I loved seeing all the parents in attendance cheering their children on to victory or consoling them in defeat. One thing that amazed me is how many athletes were sons and daughters of former Olympians. It adds new depth to the nature versus nurture debate. Are these Olympians world class athletes because of the environment in which they grew up in, or because of their lineage?

Speaking of parents, I give it a month before we start seeing Mama Phelps in a Chunky’s soup commercial and less than two months before she appears in an ad with mama McNabb.

I also found it fun watching Cris Collinsworth in a new environment. He was totally out of his element with no football, but he seemed to be having fun. Seemed like a kid in awe the entire two weeks.

A small kudos to NBC for cutting down on the feel good/triumph over tragedy stories that typically permeates their broadcasts. I dread their coverage most Olympic years because it just seems every athlete had to overcome dozens of insurmountable obstacles just to be there. While for some countries this is very true, I’m looking in Afghanistan’s direction, for the heavy hitters like the USA and China, this phenomenon is not nearly as common. I definitely enjoyed the games much more without an overload of this pathos driven angle.

And speaking of Afghanistan congratulation to all four of their athletes for competing and special congratulations goes out to Rohullah Nikpai for winning his country’s first ever Olympic medal, the bronze in Taekwondo. Now this is a story of one man overcoming great odds just to compete, and he truly made the most of his situation. Now that kind of triumph over tragedy story I can really get behind.

Always concerned about image over substance, as evidenced by the internet censorship, ban on protests during the games and the whitewashing of their politics and part in the Darfur tragedy, the host country really pulled out all the stops in producing a spectacular opening and closing ceremonies. Fantastic performances and just electrifying spectacles abounded at the beginning and ending of the games. Of course, you do wonder what those performers had to go through to perform those flawless and spectacular feats. And the music was, shall we say, subpar.

The transfer ceremony needs some serious work. I mean, those city and Olympic officials looked so clumsy trying to wave that flag. And couldn’t someone tell the London mayor to button his jacket and try to look slightly less like a shlub? Plus, the little dance number/double Decker bus thing was just pointless. And did we really need to drag Jimmy Page and David Beckham out there? Not to be too nit-picky, but I found it extraneous and nonsensical.

While we may abhor the politics, policies and government of China, the athletes themselves are who you support by taking part in and viewing the Olympics. And watching these men and women, the best in the world, compete against one another on an international stage is truly inspiring. It makes me, and I’m sure many others, also want to be the best I can be as well. If for no other reason than that, the Olympics are worth the time and effort. I thank all the competitors for all they did and wish them continued luck and success in future competitions and in life. Thank you all for a thrilling two weeks.