I picked up the Sports Illustrated for the Week of May 25, 2009 and could not believe who was on the cover. The NBA playoffs are in the Conference Finals and both series have been good. Was Lebron, Kobe, or Dwight on the cover? NO. Baseball is starting to get into full swing. Any baseball players on the cover? Uh, NO. The Indy 500 was this past weekend. Was the winner on the cover? NO. Believe it or not, in the dead zone of the NFL off season (after the draft and before training camp), a football player who played only 15 plays last season was on the cover. Thomas Edward Brady, the quarterback of the New England Patriots, or as I like to call them The 'Triots (Tree-otts).
Most of you think, Brady is McGaw "The Hater's" favorite athlete. What none of you really know is that Maria Sharapova is my favorite athlete. You figure it out. As much as I pull for Tom, I could not understand how or why he would be on the cover of SI for this week? NFL Preview issue, sure. As training camp opens, after the NBA and NHL, middle of baseball season, sure. But now? It is absolutely ridiculous! The article was great but it should have waited at least another month.
The article, I believe written by Peter King, talked about how good Brady felt and how he was on schedule to start training camp at 100%. Brady claims he has no limitations from his surgically repaired knee. He has no pain running, cutting, or stepping into throws. In fact, Brady has already been working out with all of his receivers as the team has been putting in new pass plays. Well, as any Brady fan, I am thrilled BUT as Santa says to the reindeer every Christmas Eve, "we gotta long way to go"!
Sure, it is great that Brady feels as well as he does but the real tests will come later. During two a day practices, after being on his feet for several hours and running several wind sprints, will the knee swell up? How long will it take for the knee to recover from any stiffness, as it recovers from those grueling long practices? In addition, several players who have had torn ACL's have shown that they were not completely healed and at 100% until approximately 18 months after the surgery, which would be April of 2010 for Brady.
However, McGaw "The Hater" doesn't really worry about the physical rehab for Brady. Brady is one of the fiercest competitors in all of sports. He will be in the best physical condition possible, as far as rehabbing the knee. McGaw "The Hater" worries about the mental rehab. How will Brady react when he is in the pocket, bodies crashing all around him, as he steps forward to unleash a pass, and someone falls right at his feet? Remember, Brady's knee was shredded as he stepped forward to throw and a defenders' head hit his left knee. When bodies land at his feet will he see them and flinch? Will it cause his accuracy to be just a little off? In addition, he has only played 15 plays in live game action since February 2008, that's 15 months? Can you say rusty?
Brady is great, one of the best of all time but he is no where close, physically or mentally, to being the quarterback who threw 50 TD passes in 2007. He is only "getting there". After he goes through training camp without any complications or set backs, he will be a little more confident. Until he takes his first hit on that knee, he will always have the question is it going to hold up? If Brady doesn't suffer any set backs in preseason games, when real defenders are trying to take his head off, he will build a little more physical and mental confidence.
But no one will know, including Brady, how good his knee and mental edge are until he gets to Week 1 of the 2009 NFL season against the Buffalo Bills. No more red "do not touch jersey" of practice. No more bland, basic defensive schemes of preseason while playing only a quarter or two. The first team defense of the Bills will be coming full bore trying to not only rip Brady's head off but his knee apart also. McGaw "The Hater" even expects the Triots to ease Brady back into the saddle in that game by running the football more. So it could be the second or third or even fourth game of the 2009 season before Brady is close to being what he once was. Everyone around Brady may be upbeat in the third week of May about his condition, but until Brady takes some hits in the pocket during a real NFL game and still delivers the ball with pin point accuracy, McGaw "The Hater" will refer to his status as "getting there"! And Sports Illustrated, along with everyone else, should also!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
Top Ten NFL Receiving Corps in History, Are You Kidding Me?
Memorial Day morning I awoke to put my television on NFL Network. The current program was "The Top Ten Receiving Corps in NFL History". Having seen several other such countdown or ranking shows, I thought here is one I haven't seen and since I cannot stomach the "sugarcoated we will teach you everything about life" morning shows on the major networks, I will view this and of course develop my own opinion.
I picked the show up at number 2, better late than never. Before advancing to their number 1 receiving corp of all time, the others were reviewed from number 10 down to number 2. As I watched, I tried to determine who would be their number 1 and who was my number 1. Groups such as the Chargers of Joiner, Jefferson, and Winslow; the Steelers with Swann and Stallworth; the 49ers with Rice and Taylor; and even the current Patriots with Moss and Welker came to my mind as possible candidates for the list. Back to the show, #10 was the Colts with Harrison and Wayne; between #9 and #3, but not in order, were groups that include the 70's Raiders of Biletnikoff, Branch, and Casper; the Marks brothers of the Dolphins with Marino - Duper and Clayton; and the Vikings of the 90's with Moss, Carter, and Reed. #3 was the 49ers of the 80's with Rice, Taylor, Jones, and Craig. #2 was the Rams "Greatest Show on Turf" with Bruce, Holt, and Faulk. #1 was the Chargers of the 80's with Jefferson, Joiner, and Winslow.
Amazingly at first I didn't have any problems with the list. All of those mentioned are reasonable, I may have them order slightly different, but they are reasonable. Then all of a sudden it hit me like a John Elway bullet pass in the side of the head. WHERE ARE SWANN AND STALLWORTH? I HATED THE STEELERS OF THE 70'S AND PRETTY MUCH STILL HATE THEM TODAY, BUT, WHERE ARE SWANN AND STALLWORTH? I TELL YOU WHERE THEY ARE, A LITTLE TOWN CALLED CANTON AT A BUILDING YOU MAY HAVE HEARD OF KNOWN AS THE PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME - BOTH OF THEM ARE THERE!
Swann and Stallworth were not on the list. How? They helped there teams win 4 Super Bowls. They were key components in those Super Bowl teams making big plays when games were on the line. And they aren't good enough to be in the Top 10? Whichever of the so called "experts" left them off this list should have their so called "expert" card revoked and shredded and be forced to write about food for a year.
Sure, some of the groups listed are in the conversation and can be argued to be better than Swann and Stallworth but some aren't even close. I don't even want to hear that other groups had better tight ends or running backs as receivers. Swann and Stallworth were good enough on their own to out play some of these groups with their tight ends and running backs. Especially Duper and Clayton of the Dolphins. If Marino had Swann and Stallworth he would have thrown for 6,000 yards in '84 instead of the still standing NFL record of 5,024 (+ or - a few). The Rams with the "Greatest Show on Turf" were great but for a short period. Swann and Stallworth were more successful, had several more productive years together, were more durable, and in my opinion based on the "eye ball test" of watching were flat out just better. The Vikings of Moss, Carter, and Reed, again great but for a short period and not nearly as successful as Swann and Stallworth. Even as great as the Chargers with Jefferson, Joiner, and Winslow were, the argument can be made that they were not nearly as successful as Swann and Stallworth. Swann and Stallworth got 4 rings. The last two groups mentioned got 0 rings in their entire careers combined.
You can make an argument for a lot of receiving corps as to which was the best in NFL history. The criteria for such ranking can vary with each person. However, please don't embarrass yourself by leaving out a group that includes two primary receivers who are both Hall of Famers with 4 Super Bowl rings each. In fact, show that you have at least a little knowledge about the NFL by making sure they are in your Top 5 of all time.
You have to be kidding me, Swann and Stallworth did not make the NFL Network's Top 10 receiving corps in NFL history? What's next? Elvis couldn't really sing, he was just a flash in the pan driven by media hype?
I picked the show up at number 2, better late than never. Before advancing to their number 1 receiving corp of all time, the others were reviewed from number 10 down to number 2. As I watched, I tried to determine who would be their number 1 and who was my number 1. Groups such as the Chargers of Joiner, Jefferson, and Winslow; the Steelers with Swann and Stallworth; the 49ers with Rice and Taylor; and even the current Patriots with Moss and Welker came to my mind as possible candidates for the list. Back to the show, #10 was the Colts with Harrison and Wayne; between #9 and #3, but not in order, were groups that include the 70's Raiders of Biletnikoff, Branch, and Casper; the Marks brothers of the Dolphins with Marino - Duper and Clayton; and the Vikings of the 90's with Moss, Carter, and Reed. #3 was the 49ers of the 80's with Rice, Taylor, Jones, and Craig. #2 was the Rams "Greatest Show on Turf" with Bruce, Holt, and Faulk. #1 was the Chargers of the 80's with Jefferson, Joiner, and Winslow.
Amazingly at first I didn't have any problems with the list. All of those mentioned are reasonable, I may have them order slightly different, but they are reasonable. Then all of a sudden it hit me like a John Elway bullet pass in the side of the head. WHERE ARE SWANN AND STALLWORTH? I HATED THE STEELERS OF THE 70'S AND PRETTY MUCH STILL HATE THEM TODAY, BUT, WHERE ARE SWANN AND STALLWORTH? I TELL YOU WHERE THEY ARE, A LITTLE TOWN CALLED CANTON AT A BUILDING YOU MAY HAVE HEARD OF KNOWN AS THE PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME - BOTH OF THEM ARE THERE!
Swann and Stallworth were not on the list. How? They helped there teams win 4 Super Bowls. They were key components in those Super Bowl teams making big plays when games were on the line. And they aren't good enough to be in the Top 10? Whichever of the so called "experts" left them off this list should have their so called "expert" card revoked and shredded and be forced to write about food for a year.
Sure, some of the groups listed are in the conversation and can be argued to be better than Swann and Stallworth but some aren't even close. I don't even want to hear that other groups had better tight ends or running backs as receivers. Swann and Stallworth were good enough on their own to out play some of these groups with their tight ends and running backs. Especially Duper and Clayton of the Dolphins. If Marino had Swann and Stallworth he would have thrown for 6,000 yards in '84 instead of the still standing NFL record of 5,024 (+ or - a few). The Rams with the "Greatest Show on Turf" were great but for a short period. Swann and Stallworth were more successful, had several more productive years together, were more durable, and in my opinion based on the "eye ball test" of watching were flat out just better. The Vikings of Moss, Carter, and Reed, again great but for a short period and not nearly as successful as Swann and Stallworth. Even as great as the Chargers with Jefferson, Joiner, and Winslow were, the argument can be made that they were not nearly as successful as Swann and Stallworth. Swann and Stallworth got 4 rings. The last two groups mentioned got 0 rings in their entire careers combined.
You can make an argument for a lot of receiving corps as to which was the best in NFL history. The criteria for such ranking can vary with each person. However, please don't embarrass yourself by leaving out a group that includes two primary receivers who are both Hall of Famers with 4 Super Bowl rings each. In fact, show that you have at least a little knowledge about the NFL by making sure they are in your Top 5 of all time.
You have to be kidding me, Swann and Stallworth did not make the NFL Network's Top 10 receiving corps in NFL history? What's next? Elvis couldn't really sing, he was just a flash in the pan driven by media hype?
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Patrick Ewing - SHUT UP!
Let's take a break from the NFL to torch and totally roast a former pro athlete for making a stupid, a very stupid statement. How long has it been since Patrick Ewing actually mattered as a player in the NBA? If you are basing it on championship rings, he has never mattered. I will not go that far as I do respect the outstanding career Patrick had in the NBA. Well, all of that work that Pat did from Georgetown through the NBA will never equal the stupidity he demonstrated in the off days before the game 7 between the Magic and Celtics.
Patrick is now an assistant coach, that is an "ASSISTANT" coach for the Orlando Magic. Pat has been an NBA assistant for a few years now. He has the same number of years experience as an NBA head coach as he does NBA and NCAA championship rings - 0. The Magic are in the middle of a grueling 7 game series with the NBA defending champion Celtics, as they try to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Celtics, who I have and always will hate, have the heart of a champion and are playing wounded without Kevin Garnett. The Magic should have already won this series, but in game 5 leading by 10 points with 5 minutes to play, they choked getting outscored something like 17 - 4 to lose. The Magic came back home to win Game 6 and force a 7th and deciding game in Boston.
So let's evaluate, a YOUNG Orlando Magic team is trying to defeat the defending NBA Champion veteran Celtics ON THE ROAD AT BOSTON'S HOME COURT without the Celtics best player which has caused all of the other Celtics to play even harder. That is a pretty tall order. Well, ASSISTANT coach Patrick Ewing thought he would pull a great coaching maneuver. This young team needs some motivation, some fire, right? ASSISTANT coach Patrick Ewing, who has not been a relevant player in the NBA for years now, comes out and GUARANTEES THE MAGIC WILL WIN! HUH? HE DID WHAT? NO, HE DIDN'T?
How can a Patrick Ewing, no longer playing but assistant coaching, get involved in trash talk through the media when he is not an impacting player or head coach? What was he thinking? Maybe he was thinking this will be too easy for Dwight Howard and the boys, I don't want them to overlook the Celtics so I will give them a challenge. Hey Pat, the Celtics on the road, without Garnett, after the Magic have already choked a for sure win there is ENOUGH OF A CHALLENGE! He doesn't have one NBA championship ring. He couldn't back up trash talk against the very elite NBA players at the peak of his playing career. DID HE REALLY THINK HE WAS JOE NAMATH? Joe Namath was actually PLAYING in Super Bowl III, Patrick!
Patrick Ewing, two suggestions - 1) at least be a head coach before you flatten the tires on your players wheelbarrows that are already loaded with 3 tons of cement....2) SHUT UP - YOU DON'T PLAY ANY MORE!
Patrick is now an assistant coach, that is an "ASSISTANT" coach for the Orlando Magic. Pat has been an NBA assistant for a few years now. He has the same number of years experience as an NBA head coach as he does NBA and NCAA championship rings - 0. The Magic are in the middle of a grueling 7 game series with the NBA defending champion Celtics, as they try to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Celtics, who I have and always will hate, have the heart of a champion and are playing wounded without Kevin Garnett. The Magic should have already won this series, but in game 5 leading by 10 points with 5 minutes to play, they choked getting outscored something like 17 - 4 to lose. The Magic came back home to win Game 6 and force a 7th and deciding game in Boston.
So let's evaluate, a YOUNG Orlando Magic team is trying to defeat the defending NBA Champion veteran Celtics ON THE ROAD AT BOSTON'S HOME COURT without the Celtics best player which has caused all of the other Celtics to play even harder. That is a pretty tall order. Well, ASSISTANT coach Patrick Ewing thought he would pull a great coaching maneuver. This young team needs some motivation, some fire, right? ASSISTANT coach Patrick Ewing, who has not been a relevant player in the NBA for years now, comes out and GUARANTEES THE MAGIC WILL WIN! HUH? HE DID WHAT? NO, HE DIDN'T?
How can a Patrick Ewing, no longer playing but assistant coaching, get involved in trash talk through the media when he is not an impacting player or head coach? What was he thinking? Maybe he was thinking this will be too easy for Dwight Howard and the boys, I don't want them to overlook the Celtics so I will give them a challenge. Hey Pat, the Celtics on the road, without Garnett, after the Magic have already choked a for sure win there is ENOUGH OF A CHALLENGE! He doesn't have one NBA championship ring. He couldn't back up trash talk against the very elite NBA players at the peak of his playing career. DID HE REALLY THINK HE WAS JOE NAMATH? Joe Namath was actually PLAYING in Super Bowl III, Patrick!
Patrick Ewing, two suggestions - 1) at least be a head coach before you flatten the tires on your players wheelbarrows that are already loaded with 3 tons of cement....2) SHUT UP - YOU DON'T PLAY ANY MORE!
2009 NFL Season a "Different" Season for Peyton
As the 2009 NFL Season approaches, everyone is looking at the rookies who were recently drafted, the schedules that were recently released, and of course, the fact that Bret FAV-REE (that is how his name should be pronounced) is still possibly playing. I direct you to a very subtle change that could have a significant impact and may have no impact at all. Regardless, for a serious NFL fan this should be on the radar as a notable situation to monitor.
Several NFL assistant coaches have considered retirement recently, because the coaches pension is no longer being handled by the NFL but has been given to the individual teams. Many coaches are apparently worried that this could cause a significant impact to their pension benefits, as there is not a union for NFL coaches. Rather than risk losing benefits, some NFL coaches, especially older ones, have opted to retire immediately. This has created a "possibly developing situation" with the Indianapolis Young Male Horses and Peyton Manning.
Peyton has had a Hall Fame career and most likely nothing will change this season barring injury. However, there are some significant pieces missing from Peyton's team as they enter the '09 campaign. First, as you all know by now, Tony Dungy retired at the end of '08. Although his replacement was on staff and hand picked by Dungy, he (I believe it is Jim Caldwell) is a first year head coach with absolutely no experience as a head coach. It will be interesting to see not only how he performs but how Peyton interacts with him if Peyton should disagree with some of his decisions, strategies. or coaching styles. Dungy was a respected head coach before Peyton became a Hall Fame player so the respect was in place when Dungy was hired. Peyton may know this coach well, but respect is earned at EACH coaching position. Should the new coach struggle and Peyton disagree with him, how high will the Peyton "FRUSTRATION-Meter" read? Could it have am impact on Peyton and the team? We all remember the Peyton "FRUSTRATION-Meter" after the Steelers beat them in January of '06, the emphamis how did Roethlisberger tackle that defensive back returning Bettis' fumble divisional playoff game. Peyton torched his offensive line with the quote to the media of "We had protection issues". Also, how many times have we seen the "FRUSTRATION-Meter" soar with the shaking head, frown, and throwing up of the hands as Petyon walks off the field?
Dungy retired to pursue other very admirable interests in life. However, two very important assistant coaches have now decided to retire in the early weeks of May due to the pension issues. Offensive coordinator, Tom Moore, and offensive line coach, Howard Mudd announced their retirement effective immediately. Sure, Peyton does not need an offensive coordinator but Tom Moore is the ONLY, that's right, ONLY offensive coordinator that Peyton has ever had in his NFL career. Howard Mudd is considered a legendary offensive line coach. Peyton has almost always had outstanding line protection, as any quarterback has to have to be successful. Both of these coaches have been referred to by many executives, coaches, players, and media personnel as great, influential coaches. Peyton is a coach on the field, no doubt. But it will definitely be worth watching how the loss of these two coaches will impact his team and his performance. Will the protection be as good? Will the offensive scheme be as open and imaginative? Will the discipline and the execution of the offense be the same?
Finally, another small but dependable piece is also missing for the first time in Peyton's NFL career, Marvin Harrison. Marvin has been a shell of himself since injuring his knee two seasons ago. Reggie Wayne is now the go to receiver while Anthony Gonzalez and Dallas Clark are outstanding. But Peyton shared a chemistry with Harrison that will never be duplicated. Peyton has thrown more TD passes to Harrison than any QB to WR tandem in the history of the NFL. They worked so hard and flawlessly together that they knew what each other was thinking in every situation. Harrison had to be some sort of security for all of those games, if Peyton ever needed any security. Peyton had great confidence in Harrison not only from a physical point of catching the ball but from a mental stand point of reading the defense and knowing where the weak points were and being on the same page as Peyton.
Peyton Manning's career speaks for itself. He has been great. Currently, I have him as the 4th greatest quarterback of my lifetime (first memory Super Bowl 6) behind Montana, Elway, Brady (feel free to make your own rankings of any QB's). It is very hard for one not to think that losing your head coach, only offensive coordinator you have ever had, great offensive line coach, and favorite receiver of your career would not have an impact on your play and your team. Most likely, Peyton will perform as he always has or maybe even better. If Peyton does perform even better his legend should grow after losing all of the people listed above. However, if Peyton "just doesn't quite look right or like himself" or if you start to hear the whispers "Peyton is getting old, his skills are diminishing", well, it may not be all Peyton. It could be what or who Peyton lost this off season.
P.S. After drafting RB Donald Brown in the first round this year, the Young Male Horses have now provided Peyton, during his entire NFL career, with 9 first round draft picks that are or were skill position players for his assistance - RB, WR, TE. The list includes Marvin Harrison, Edgerrin James, and Dallas Clark to name a few. Feel free to research the others yourself.
Several NFL assistant coaches have considered retirement recently, because the coaches pension is no longer being handled by the NFL but has been given to the individual teams. Many coaches are apparently worried that this could cause a significant impact to their pension benefits, as there is not a union for NFL coaches. Rather than risk losing benefits, some NFL coaches, especially older ones, have opted to retire immediately. This has created a "possibly developing situation" with the Indianapolis Young Male Horses and Peyton Manning.
Peyton has had a Hall Fame career and most likely nothing will change this season barring injury. However, there are some significant pieces missing from Peyton's team as they enter the '09 campaign. First, as you all know by now, Tony Dungy retired at the end of '08. Although his replacement was on staff and hand picked by Dungy, he (I believe it is Jim Caldwell) is a first year head coach with absolutely no experience as a head coach. It will be interesting to see not only how he performs but how Peyton interacts with him if Peyton should disagree with some of his decisions, strategies. or coaching styles. Dungy was a respected head coach before Peyton became a Hall Fame player so the respect was in place when Dungy was hired. Peyton may know this coach well, but respect is earned at EACH coaching position. Should the new coach struggle and Peyton disagree with him, how high will the Peyton "FRUSTRATION-Meter" read? Could it have am impact on Peyton and the team? We all remember the Peyton "FRUSTRATION-Meter" after the Steelers beat them in January of '06, the emphamis how did Roethlisberger tackle that defensive back returning Bettis' fumble divisional playoff game. Peyton torched his offensive line with the quote to the media of "We had protection issues". Also, how many times have we seen the "FRUSTRATION-Meter" soar with the shaking head, frown, and throwing up of the hands as Petyon walks off the field?
Dungy retired to pursue other very admirable interests in life. However, two very important assistant coaches have now decided to retire in the early weeks of May due to the pension issues. Offensive coordinator, Tom Moore, and offensive line coach, Howard Mudd announced their retirement effective immediately. Sure, Peyton does not need an offensive coordinator but Tom Moore is the ONLY, that's right, ONLY offensive coordinator that Peyton has ever had in his NFL career. Howard Mudd is considered a legendary offensive line coach. Peyton has almost always had outstanding line protection, as any quarterback has to have to be successful. Both of these coaches have been referred to by many executives, coaches, players, and media personnel as great, influential coaches. Peyton is a coach on the field, no doubt. But it will definitely be worth watching how the loss of these two coaches will impact his team and his performance. Will the protection be as good? Will the offensive scheme be as open and imaginative? Will the discipline and the execution of the offense be the same?
Finally, another small but dependable piece is also missing for the first time in Peyton's NFL career, Marvin Harrison. Marvin has been a shell of himself since injuring his knee two seasons ago. Reggie Wayne is now the go to receiver while Anthony Gonzalez and Dallas Clark are outstanding. But Peyton shared a chemistry with Harrison that will never be duplicated. Peyton has thrown more TD passes to Harrison than any QB to WR tandem in the history of the NFL. They worked so hard and flawlessly together that they knew what each other was thinking in every situation. Harrison had to be some sort of security for all of those games, if Peyton ever needed any security. Peyton had great confidence in Harrison not only from a physical point of catching the ball but from a mental stand point of reading the defense and knowing where the weak points were and being on the same page as Peyton.
Peyton Manning's career speaks for itself. He has been great. Currently, I have him as the 4th greatest quarterback of my lifetime (first memory Super Bowl 6) behind Montana, Elway, Brady (feel free to make your own rankings of any QB's). It is very hard for one not to think that losing your head coach, only offensive coordinator you have ever had, great offensive line coach, and favorite receiver of your career would not have an impact on your play and your team. Most likely, Peyton will perform as he always has or maybe even better. If Peyton does perform even better his legend should grow after losing all of the people listed above. However, if Peyton "just doesn't quite look right or like himself" or if you start to hear the whispers "Peyton is getting old, his skills are diminishing", well, it may not be all Peyton. It could be what or who Peyton lost this off season.
P.S. After drafting RB Donald Brown in the first round this year, the Young Male Horses have now provided Peyton, during his entire NFL career, with 9 first round draft picks that are or were skill position players for his assistance - RB, WR, TE. The list includes Marvin Harrison, Edgerrin James, and Dallas Clark to name a few. Feel free to research the others yourself.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Favre Is What He Is, But Packers Brass Equally To Blame For Feud!
Let me vent for a while. As much as we all can't stand any more Brett Favre unretirement talk, I cannot believe how few people acknowledge that the Packers GM Ted Thompson and head coach Mike McCarthy are equally to blame, as Favre, for the "feud" between Favre and the Packers.
Favre is what he is, one of the greatest ego maniacs of all time who needs to be loved and begged to play by the fans. Favre's mistake was not staying in Green Bay last season. If he had of agreed to stay, the Packers would never have kept him as a backup at his salary. The Packers would have released him at the end of training camp and he could have headed straight to the Vikings rather than getting their via a year in New York. What was the reason that kept Favre from staying in Green Bay until he was released? I believe it was, of course, his ego. Favre did not want his legendary consecutive starts streak to end. He knew if he was released at the end of training camp he would miss the first couple of games with a new team while he became familiar with that team. Brett, sometimes you have to lose the battle to win the war. Enough of what you know, I want to enlighten you about how Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy botched this. Actually pouring the gas and striking the match that started this roaring, gaining momentum, becoming out of control wildfire of a feud.
Ted Thompson, the GM, and Mike McCarthy, the head coach, did not want Favre after the 2007 season ended. They wanted to move on to Aaron Rodgers. Why? We can only speculate. I would guess it is a few reasons such as Favre's diva ways of wanting special off season and locker room treatment, Favre's age, and Aaron Rodgers upside. The problem for the Packers Brass was they could not justify not wanting Favre to the Packer faithful. Favre had a very good 2007 season for the Packers. He made the Pro Bowl and took the Packers to overtime of the NFC championship game, before throwing a bad interception that cost the Packers a trip to the Super Bowl to play the undefeated Patriots. Thompson and McCarthy should have came clean and admitted they did not want Favre any more. I read somewhere, the truth will set you free. Well, the failure of the Packers brass to have the testicular fortitude to be truthful has now been an issue and distraction for the Packers for more than one season and could become a bigger more directly impacting issue in the near future, if Favre signs with the Vikings. If Favre plays well and heaven forbid leads his team over the Packers and farther into the postseason, yeah, the issue will be red hot and never going away in Packer land.
These men run a multi million dollar organization. Step to the podium and just say it - "WE ARE MOVING ON WITHOUT BRETT FAVRE". But if they did that then they would have been putting their heads and jobs on the line, if Rodgers and the Packers failed and Favre succeeded elsewhere. So they cowardly, tried to force Favre to stay retired then they tried to pay him $20 million dollars to stay retired. They begged, and I mean begged, him to stay retired. They tried every option but having the guts to politely admit their opinions and gracefully cutting ties with Favre, who has more than earned the right as a Packer to be told the truth and be treated with grace.
Consider this, Favre is one of the greatest competitors of all time, not to mention one of the greatest egos of all time. Put yourself in his mindset. You had a great last season and now for no good reason, your team don't want you. HUH? YOU DON'T WANT ME? I HAD A GREAT SEASON LAST YEAR. MADE THE PRO BOWL. CAME WITHIN AN EYE LASH OF THE SUPER BOWL. EVERYTHING I HAVE DONE FOR THIS TEAM, AND YOU DON'T WANT ME? THE PACKER FANS WANT ME. MOST OF THE TEAM WANTS ME. BUT YOU, THE BIG SHOTS MAKING THE CALLS DON'T WANT ME? Oh yeah, you better believe that will stoke a fire the size of 20 infernos in a guy like Favre. At that moment, Favre wanted to prove to Thompson, McCarthy, himself and the world that they were wrong and wrong in a huge way. Favre knows he can still play at a high level. Look at his numbers for the last two seasons. He finished last season with a hurt shoulder, until the injury he played well for the Jets and had them in playoff contention until the last week of the season.
After failing to keep Favre retired, the Packers Brass decided to trade him but would not release him. They would not let Favre go play for any of their divisional opponents. Why? What were they so afraid of? They didn't want Favre anymore, so he must not be that good anymore, right? THEY KNEW FAVRE COULD STILL PLAY AT A HIGH LEVEL AND COULD POSSIBLY BEAT THEM WITH THE RIGHT TEAM, THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS! The Vikings were the perfect team for Favre and could possibly become the Packers perfect storm if Favre landed there. If you want proof that they feared Favre and knew he could still play well, just look at the stipulations of the trade with the Jets. The terms explicitly stated that if the Jets, or ANY team that the Jets traded Favre to, end up trading Favre to one of the Packers divisional opponents - bears, lions, or VIKINGS - that team would owe the Packers TWO, not one but TWO FIRST ROUND DRAFT CHOICES! The only way for Favre to get in the division would be if he was released.
Again Favre is what he is, but make sure you give the Packers Brass all of the blame they deserve for cowardly lighting a fire in Favre that has created a much larger than usual resentment for the team that he became a legend with. Any great player who knows and has proven he can still play at a high level would feel the way Favre does, REVENGE WILL BE MINE! Yeah, Joe Montana enjoyed it greatly when he beat the 49ers with the Chiefs. If the Packers had of gracefully admitted they didn't want Favre and released him or traded him to the Vikings, the issue of resentment would be all on Favre. Sure he may have came back to haunt them, but they would have been showing they believed in their assessment that the Packers were better with Aaron Rodgers and honestly no longer felt Favre could play at a high level. If Favre failed, the Packers Brass would have been confirmed correct and praised for their evaluation abilities. However, the truth is they wanted their cake and eat it too. They didn't want Favre, but they didn't want him to succeed and definitely didn't want to face him.
I pose this question to you. Would other GM's and head coaches have botched this situation as the Packers did? How did the 49ers handle the Joe Montana situation? What would Parcells or Belichick have done? I am not completely sure, but I am convinced it would not have been the weak, fearing of being canned for a bad decision, having no faith in their abilities path the Packers Brass took.
Favre is what he is, one of the greatest ego maniacs of all time who needs to be loved and begged to play by the fans. Favre's mistake was not staying in Green Bay last season. If he had of agreed to stay, the Packers would never have kept him as a backup at his salary. The Packers would have released him at the end of training camp and he could have headed straight to the Vikings rather than getting their via a year in New York. What was the reason that kept Favre from staying in Green Bay until he was released? I believe it was, of course, his ego. Favre did not want his legendary consecutive starts streak to end. He knew if he was released at the end of training camp he would miss the first couple of games with a new team while he became familiar with that team. Brett, sometimes you have to lose the battle to win the war. Enough of what you know, I want to enlighten you about how Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy botched this. Actually pouring the gas and striking the match that started this roaring, gaining momentum, becoming out of control wildfire of a feud.
Ted Thompson, the GM, and Mike McCarthy, the head coach, did not want Favre after the 2007 season ended. They wanted to move on to Aaron Rodgers. Why? We can only speculate. I would guess it is a few reasons such as Favre's diva ways of wanting special off season and locker room treatment, Favre's age, and Aaron Rodgers upside. The problem for the Packers Brass was they could not justify not wanting Favre to the Packer faithful. Favre had a very good 2007 season for the Packers. He made the Pro Bowl and took the Packers to overtime of the NFC championship game, before throwing a bad interception that cost the Packers a trip to the Super Bowl to play the undefeated Patriots. Thompson and McCarthy should have came clean and admitted they did not want Favre any more. I read somewhere, the truth will set you free. Well, the failure of the Packers brass to have the testicular fortitude to be truthful has now been an issue and distraction for the Packers for more than one season and could become a bigger more directly impacting issue in the near future, if Favre signs with the Vikings. If Favre plays well and heaven forbid leads his team over the Packers and farther into the postseason, yeah, the issue will be red hot and never going away in Packer land.
These men run a multi million dollar organization. Step to the podium and just say it - "WE ARE MOVING ON WITHOUT BRETT FAVRE". But if they did that then they would have been putting their heads and jobs on the line, if Rodgers and the Packers failed and Favre succeeded elsewhere. So they cowardly, tried to force Favre to stay retired then they tried to pay him $20 million dollars to stay retired. They begged, and I mean begged, him to stay retired. They tried every option but having the guts to politely admit their opinions and gracefully cutting ties with Favre, who has more than earned the right as a Packer to be told the truth and be treated with grace.
Consider this, Favre is one of the greatest competitors of all time, not to mention one of the greatest egos of all time. Put yourself in his mindset. You had a great last season and now for no good reason, your team don't want you. HUH? YOU DON'T WANT ME? I HAD A GREAT SEASON LAST YEAR. MADE THE PRO BOWL. CAME WITHIN AN EYE LASH OF THE SUPER BOWL. EVERYTHING I HAVE DONE FOR THIS TEAM, AND YOU DON'T WANT ME? THE PACKER FANS WANT ME. MOST OF THE TEAM WANTS ME. BUT YOU, THE BIG SHOTS MAKING THE CALLS DON'T WANT ME? Oh yeah, you better believe that will stoke a fire the size of 20 infernos in a guy like Favre. At that moment, Favre wanted to prove to Thompson, McCarthy, himself and the world that they were wrong and wrong in a huge way. Favre knows he can still play at a high level. Look at his numbers for the last two seasons. He finished last season with a hurt shoulder, until the injury he played well for the Jets and had them in playoff contention until the last week of the season.
After failing to keep Favre retired, the Packers Brass decided to trade him but would not release him. They would not let Favre go play for any of their divisional opponents. Why? What were they so afraid of? They didn't want Favre anymore, so he must not be that good anymore, right? THEY KNEW FAVRE COULD STILL PLAY AT A HIGH LEVEL AND COULD POSSIBLY BEAT THEM WITH THE RIGHT TEAM, THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS! The Vikings were the perfect team for Favre and could possibly become the Packers perfect storm if Favre landed there. If you want proof that they feared Favre and knew he could still play well, just look at the stipulations of the trade with the Jets. The terms explicitly stated that if the Jets, or ANY team that the Jets traded Favre to, end up trading Favre to one of the Packers divisional opponents - bears, lions, or VIKINGS - that team would owe the Packers TWO, not one but TWO FIRST ROUND DRAFT CHOICES! The only way for Favre to get in the division would be if he was released.
Again Favre is what he is, but make sure you give the Packers Brass all of the blame they deserve for cowardly lighting a fire in Favre that has created a much larger than usual resentment for the team that he became a legend with. Any great player who knows and has proven he can still play at a high level would feel the way Favre does, REVENGE WILL BE MINE! Yeah, Joe Montana enjoyed it greatly when he beat the 49ers with the Chiefs. If the Packers had of gracefully admitted they didn't want Favre and released him or traded him to the Vikings, the issue of resentment would be all on Favre. Sure he may have came back to haunt them, but they would have been showing they believed in their assessment that the Packers were better with Aaron Rodgers and honestly no longer felt Favre could play at a high level. If Favre failed, the Packers Brass would have been confirmed correct and praised for their evaluation abilities. However, the truth is they wanted their cake and eat it too. They didn't want Favre, but they didn't want him to succeed and definitely didn't want to face him.
I pose this question to you. Would other GM's and head coaches have botched this situation as the Packers did? How did the 49ers handle the Joe Montana situation? What would Parcells or Belichick have done? I am not completely sure, but I am convinced it would not have been the weak, fearing of being canned for a bad decision, having no faith in their abilities path the Packers Brass took.
The NFL is Great, But Here's How To Make It Better
The NFL is the number one sport in the United States. Yes, college football or as I prefer to call it "fraternity football" fans the NFL is #1. Just recently, the NFL draft drew more viewers than most television shows. I am sure if we researched the numbers, the NFL television network channel and radio channel draw more viewers and listeners than any other of the major sports. With this said, as great as the NFL is I know how to make it even better.
The very first thing I would do as NFL Commissioner is abolish the Conferences and divisions. Instead of two conferences and eight divisions, the NFL would be 1 league with 32 teams competing. Sure we could keep the bitter rivalries but the main goal would be to produce a playoff with the 12 best teams climaxing with the 2 best teams playing for the title. Is the view coming into focus as to what this could produce? No longer could a team back into the playoffs by winning a weak division, see the Chargers last season winning the AFC west with an 8-8 record. What we want is the 12 best records competing for the Lombardi Trophy and that is what Commissioner McGaw "The Hater" would deliver.
By doing this, the big payoff would be we could finally have all of those Super Bowls we wish we could have seen in the past. For instance, the Cowboys and the Niners of the 90's could only meet in the NFC title game. We all knew that was the real Super Bowl and that the winner of that game would win the Super Bowl. My rules would give you the Cowboys vs the Niners of the 90's in the Super Bowl. Currently, how would you like to see a Colts vs Patriots Super Bowl? Or plug the Steelers in for either team? Bottom line, we don't get the two best teams playing on Super Sunday and that should be corrected.
Commisioner McGaw "The Hater" will also eliminate long term contracts. Yes sir, contracts are renegotiated every year for no longer than that 1 year. No, every player does not become free agents. There would be limits and regulations to keep the core of the teams together. Just to make sure we are getting the very best brand of football, contracts will also have several incentives that are not only individual incentives but team achievement incentives. This should promote a fire inside of each player that pushes them to their very best on every play of every game for themselves and the success of their team.
Prime time TV games will always be the very best games that week. Currently, every team gets to appear at least once in prime time. Sorry, if you stink- you don't get Monday Night or Sunday Night games. The elite matchups of the week will be on Monday and Sunday Night, as well as all Holiday telecasts.
Speaking of holiday telecasts, Commissioner McGaw is going to give you, the fan, a better kickoff weekend. How? Try this on, the NFL will take over and dominate the Labor Day weekend. Um, sorry if that takes away from high school or "fraterntiy football" crowds, I hate that for ya but I WANT MY NFL! We will begin Labor Day Weekend with 2 marquee matchups on Friday night at 6 and 9 p.m. Saturday will bring you 3 good matchups at 1, 5, and 8 pm. Sunday will have the meat of the schedule as usual. Labor Day will again give you good matchups at 1, 5, and 8 pm. All holiday matchups will be good, if not great. No garbage games on holidays! Guess what Lions, you WILL be home for Thanksgiving and you won't be playing!
Finally, Commissioner McGaw "The Hater" is going to make one slight adjustment to the game itself. Everyone wants to fix overtime, well here is how you do it. ELIMINATE the coin toss. The 4th quarter would be more strategic causing more excitement. No one feels cheated as though they lost on a coin toss. If a team is pinned deep in their own territory in the 4th quarter they can't take a knee and play for the coin toss. They would have to try for first downs. We continue the game into a 5th quarter and it becomes "sudden death", first team to score wins. The ball remains with the team that had it at the same location on the field when the 4th quarter ended. Teams swap ends of the field just like any other change of a quarter.
Although some of these recommendations seem drastic, while others seem simple, each of them could be done. Will we see any of these recommendations be implemented? Not a chance, too many opinions, egos, and dollars in the way of the fan getting the most enjoyment for their time and money. But the more you ponder these changes, the more you will realize as great as the NFL is, Commissioner McGaw "The Hater" could and would make it even better for you, the fan.
The very first thing I would do as NFL Commissioner is abolish the Conferences and divisions. Instead of two conferences and eight divisions, the NFL would be 1 league with 32 teams competing. Sure we could keep the bitter rivalries but the main goal would be to produce a playoff with the 12 best teams climaxing with the 2 best teams playing for the title. Is the view coming into focus as to what this could produce? No longer could a team back into the playoffs by winning a weak division, see the Chargers last season winning the AFC west with an 8-8 record. What we want is the 12 best records competing for the Lombardi Trophy and that is what Commissioner McGaw "The Hater" would deliver.
By doing this, the big payoff would be we could finally have all of those Super Bowls we wish we could have seen in the past. For instance, the Cowboys and the Niners of the 90's could only meet in the NFC title game. We all knew that was the real Super Bowl and that the winner of that game would win the Super Bowl. My rules would give you the Cowboys vs the Niners of the 90's in the Super Bowl. Currently, how would you like to see a Colts vs Patriots Super Bowl? Or plug the Steelers in for either team? Bottom line, we don't get the two best teams playing on Super Sunday and that should be corrected.
Commisioner McGaw "The Hater" will also eliminate long term contracts. Yes sir, contracts are renegotiated every year for no longer than that 1 year. No, every player does not become free agents. There would be limits and regulations to keep the core of the teams together. Just to make sure we are getting the very best brand of football, contracts will also have several incentives that are not only individual incentives but team achievement incentives. This should promote a fire inside of each player that pushes them to their very best on every play of every game for themselves and the success of their team.
Prime time TV games will always be the very best games that week. Currently, every team gets to appear at least once in prime time. Sorry, if you stink- you don't get Monday Night or Sunday Night games. The elite matchups of the week will be on Monday and Sunday Night, as well as all Holiday telecasts.
Speaking of holiday telecasts, Commissioner McGaw is going to give you, the fan, a better kickoff weekend. How? Try this on, the NFL will take over and dominate the Labor Day weekend. Um, sorry if that takes away from high school or "fraterntiy football" crowds, I hate that for ya but I WANT MY NFL! We will begin Labor Day Weekend with 2 marquee matchups on Friday night at 6 and 9 p.m. Saturday will bring you 3 good matchups at 1, 5, and 8 pm. Sunday will have the meat of the schedule as usual. Labor Day will again give you good matchups at 1, 5, and 8 pm. All holiday matchups will be good, if not great. No garbage games on holidays! Guess what Lions, you WILL be home for Thanksgiving and you won't be playing!
Finally, Commissioner McGaw "The Hater" is going to make one slight adjustment to the game itself. Everyone wants to fix overtime, well here is how you do it. ELIMINATE the coin toss. The 4th quarter would be more strategic causing more excitement. No one feels cheated as though they lost on a coin toss. If a team is pinned deep in their own territory in the 4th quarter they can't take a knee and play for the coin toss. They would have to try for first downs. We continue the game into a 5th quarter and it becomes "sudden death", first team to score wins. The ball remains with the team that had it at the same location on the field when the 4th quarter ended. Teams swap ends of the field just like any other change of a quarter.
Although some of these recommendations seem drastic, while others seem simple, each of them could be done. Will we see any of these recommendations be implemented? Not a chance, too many opinions, egos, and dollars in the way of the fan getting the most enjoyment for their time and money. But the more you ponder these changes, the more you will realize as great as the NFL is, Commissioner McGaw "The Hater" could and would make it even better for you, the fan.
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