Will he or won't he? Not Favre but Peyton!

So I am eating with two close friends who are big Peyton Manning fans. As the conversation turns to Tennessee Vols football, I make a statement that I have been sure about for a few years. This statement was a no brainer for me. Well, these friends that are big fans informed me that I was wrong.

The statement I made was that Peyton Manning will coach at the high school, college, or pro level when he retires as a player. I believe Peyton will coach at the college level because he has stated how he loves college football and college campus life. It was very clear how much he loved college football when he announced that he would be returning for his senior season rather than enter the NFL.

The two gentlemen I was eating with are both big Vols and Peyton fans. They feel that Peyton will not coach because he doesn't need it. He has made his money. He will go into business. They continued that there really aren't any great players who have been coaches. Peyton has so many opportunities including acting according to these fans. Bottom line they said he will not coach because he doesn't have to or need to.

I was blown away. I have expected for years now that Peyton will coach. He is a coach on the field now. He is different from other players because although he has great physical ability he also has extraordinary mental ability. A huge portion of Manning's game is the mental facet and study. Hello, this what coaches do. In addition, Manning runs a QB school with his Dad and brother, Eli. He walks like a coach, talks like a coach, acts like a coach, studies like a coach, leads like a coach! How could he not be a coach in the future?

I strongly disagree that Manning doesn't need to coach. No, he doesn't need the money but he will need the football. Football is his life, literally. He will need the competition at a high level. His lifestyle of competition and study is like a drug and you can't just cut it off without withdrawal.

I believe when Peyton Manning retires he will either be a NFL Head Coach, a NFL QB coach, a NFL Offensive Coordinator, or a front office man for the Colts until his dream job comes open. Peyton Manning will eventually fill the role as Head Coach for the University of Tennessee Vols.

He loves college life, he loves college football, he would be in full control at the college level, and he loves the University of Tennessee. Who he is would make his recruiting easy. No doubt he would always be able to land a top quarterback prospect. The job would be his as long as he wanted it. His teams would have to be bad, very bad for a long time for the Vol Nation to fire him. Can't you see it? Peyton walking the sidelines in the Tennessee hat with the head set on. Instructing players, doing interviews, and of course, leading the band.

I am absolutely stunned. For two high school coaches who are big Peyton fans to tell me that Peyton WILL NOT coach was completely mind blowing. I have thought for years that it is a for gone conclusion. Of course, I can be wrong. I always thought Peyton would have won more than 1 Super Bowl in 11 NFL seasons!

What Has Happened To The Patriots O-Line?

Look out Pats fans. Tom Brady's shoulder may be seriously hurt. Albert Haynesworth landed, all 300 plus pounds on Tom causing Brady's right arm to be flattened parallel to the ground. The arm was above Brady's head and the shoulder joint went flat to the ground as his head bounced against it.

The best case scenario here will be a very sore shoulder. I will not be surprised if there is damage to his shoulder as the joint hyper-extended badly. Of course, Belichick will be as vague as possible about the condition.

My question is what has happened to the Patriots offensive line? What used to be one of the best units in the NFL seems to be very average. While watching 2 of the 3 preseason games, I have noticed that Brady is hurried and has nervous feet in the pocket. It will be difficult enough for Brady to get over the mental fear of getting hit again while throwing. It appears that task just got twice as difficult because his line has shown that they can't protect him as well anymore. Brady was drilled last week by a Bengal that practically got a clean shot at Brady due to a blown assignment on the line.

Brady has been very durable in the past. That durability begins with the fact that his line kept him very protected. Belichick and the coaching staff better fix the o-line issues and make sure the Patriots #1 asset stays up right. As good as Brady looked in the first quarter, finding Moss for 2 TD's and putting the ball on the money, he will not be able to stay healthy for the 2009 season with the way his line is playing as of now. That is if he isn't already seriously injured.

Eagles Locker Room and Fans Will Split Over McNabb and Vick

A big time split, like the one in the middle of Shemp's hair on The Three Stooges, is coming soon to the Philadelphia Eagles. When I heard that the Eagles had signed Michael Vick, my first thought was, why? The Eagles have one of the top ten quarterbacks in the NFL with Donovan McNabb. In addition, McNabb has been on shaky ground with Eagles fans since the day he was drafted, in spite of his success.

This combination has the makings for a huge problem. McNabb was booed by Philly fans when he was drafted. He has taken the Eagles to 5 NFC championship games and 1 Super Bowl. However, he still isn't appreciated by Eagles fans. Last season, he was benched at halftime of the Ravens game. The Eagles were still in the game and had a chance to win it late when Kevin Kolb threw the game ending interception.

Enter Michael Vick. McNabb claims he lobbied for Vick to be an Eagle. The problem is that Vick is still in his prime. Vick possibly has 5 or 6 years of tread left on the tire. Meaning, he could be the Eagles quarterback of the future. Is it possible that is what Andy Reid is thinking? Could Reid be unhappy with McNabb's inability to win the Super Bowl after being so close on 5 occasions?

Eagle fans have been split on McNabb from day 1. Until now they did not really have another answer. That split is going to grow deeper and wider because last night in the first pre season game Vick participated in, fans were chanting "we want Vick". After the game McNabb indirectly indicated that Vick entering the game disrupted the rhythm of the offense.

Do you see where this is headed? Some where in the future this will come to a head and it will not be good for the Eagles. When McNabb struggles, at all, some fans are going to chant for Vick. Then it will eventually come to light that the locker room is split. Some players wanting Vick and others wanting McNabb. The Vikings only have one accomplished quarterback in their locker room. The odds of a split there diminish greatly if Favre plays well. With 2 capable quarterbacks in the Eagles locker room, a part of fans and teammates is coming. Right down the center, just like Shemp's hair on The Three Stooges.

Production Will Determine How Viking Teammates Feel About Favre

Everywhere Brett Favre goes drama follows him and he loves the attention. Reports have surfaced from Vikings camp that there is a rift in the locker room over who the team wants to be the starting quarterback.

First of all, very rarely does it matter who the players want to be the quarterback. The owners' opinion, money invested, championships won, etc. usually determine who is the quarterback. Second of all, the NFL is a production business. Very rarely do you get to be unproductive and keep your job, unless your Matt Millen as the GM of the Lions. I am still trying to figure out what kind of pictures he had on the Ford family.

Regardless of what you hear about how the players feel right now in Vikings camp, understand that how Favre performs in the regular season will determine how the Vikings players feel in the end. This is the NFL, not high school or even college. Players of more important status are treated differently and other players accept that. They may not like it but they understand it is part of the business. All that matters in the NFL is WINNING!

Some Vikings may be loyal to Tavaris Jackson and feel like he was done wrong. If Favre struggles and the Vikings lose, those feelings will grow stronger and then you do have a real rift in the locker room. However, if Favre plays great and the Vikings win there will be no such thing as a rift. Let Favre throw for 300 yards and 3 TD's while leading the Vikings to a last second win in their first game of the season and several of the players loyal to Jackson will have trouble remembering who Jackson is.

A so called rift in the locker room in week 3 of the pre season is not a big deal. That's the media digging up a so called story. Wait until week 5 or 6 of the regular season, then you will know if there is a real rift. Simply by looking at Favre's performance and the Vikings record. It is the NFL. A what have you done for me lately business. If Favre is winning in the regular season his teammates will care less what happened in the off season and pre season. Winning fixes all "team" problems in sports.

After 20 Years Pete Rose Should Go On The Aggressive Against Baseball Hall Of Fame

20 years ago yesterday, Pete Rose was banned from baseball for gambling. Note that his gambling occurred while he was a manager, not a player. Why hasn't Pete Rose the player been put in the Hall of Fame? Everyone knows he earned the due honor on the field. His numbers are unbelievable and by the way I was not a Rose fan at all. He is 1st all time in several offensive categories including hits. His career total in hits is a record that possibly will never be broken.

I understand banning a gambler because of the detriment it could cause to the game. Banning Rose the manager from participating in the game for life was enough punishment. Not to mention making Rose the player wait so many years for enshrinement into the Hall of Fame. Now we have seen performance enhancing drugs cause what could be almost as severe damage to the game. At least to the best of our knowledge, Rose accumulated his stats the old fashioned way - without JUICE. With the embarrassment and shock caused by the JUICERS the last few years, it is time for baseball to end its grudge with Rose and place him where he belongs in the Hall of Fame. And yes, his gambling and the price he paid should be noted in as large of letters as his stats are on his monument.

Since baseball has wanted to hold a grudge for so long, if I were Rose I would start a grudge of my own. I believe Rose should have announced yesterday, on the 20th anniversary of his banning, that he would NEVER allow the baseball Hall of Fame to enshrine him or anything of his name or likeness. In fact, if I were Rose I would have demanded the Hall of Fame return items of his that are currently displayed there such as bats, uniforms, cleats, etc. Absolutely nothing having to do with Pete Rose would be allowed in the baseball Hall of Fame, ever. He should put it in official documents so that it cannot happen after his death.

By doing this, Rose's story would only grow. He would be known as the only person to ever refuse to agree to enshrinement in the Hall of Fame. One more trivia question he would be the answer to. This action would take his story from Jack and Jill status to Paul Bunyan status, even more head and shoulders above other historic baseball stories.

As stated earlier, everyone who knows anything about baseball knows Rose is a Hall of Famer, no questions asked. Being a Hall of Famer is more about the fan acknowledging you as such, than having some plaque put on a wall with your stats in some building.

2 Things That Will Determine Brett Favre's Success Or Failure

Now that Brett Favre has signed with the Vikings, what will determine his success or failure? Sure his offensive line, how Adrian Peterson does, how the defense plays, etc. All of these are the obvious observations that you could state about almost any NFL quarterback. Let me give you 2 underlying factors to watch "As The World of Favre Turns In '09".

First, Brett said at his press conference that a tear in his rotator cuff was found by Dr. James Andrews during surgery to repair his torn biceps tendon. According to Brett, Dr. Andrews indicated he could play with the tear. He never said Dr. Andrews, the best in the business, indicated he could play well for the entire season with the tear. Reports from Viking camp show that Viking players are in awe of how strong Favre's arm is and with what zip he has on the ball. However, online information from interviews with other Doctors shows that it is very possible that the tear in the rotator cuff could worsen as the season continues, especially at Favre's age. If the tear does worsen, expect Favre to lose arm strength and velocity. A gunslinger mind plus a pop gun arm would mean the interceptions would come in bunches, like bananas. Favre's shoulder and arm must stay strong for him to succeed. If he fails expect him to blame the rotator cuff tear somewhere down the road. If I am the Vikes, I limit Favre's passing as much as possible.

Second is a very tiny but very important need for Brett Favre that you hardly ever hear mentioned. Brett Favre needs a coach that will hold him accountable to his face and in the media. The stats prove that when Favre has a coach like Mike Holgrem or Mike McCarthy he succeeds. Both of these coaches would chew Favre out for mistakes and criticize his poor decisions in the media. However, while playing for a coach like Mike Sherman, Favre has not played as well. Sherman worshipped Favre and had no control over him. Favre would force passes thinking he had to make a play and the interceptions came more often. Watch Brad Childress closely. If he gets in Favre's face or calls him out in the media, Favre should play with more discipline. But if Chilly, as Favre calls him, is the new president of Favre's fan club expect the Viking ship to find rough waters, eventually.

Please Tell Me You Are Not Surprised!!!!!!!

Yes, Brett Favre is playing for the Vikings. You should know that if you have read this blog any time at all. I have "screamed" from the very beginning that Favre would at least want to play.

I believe Favre wanted to play from the beginning. I believe a deal was worked out with the Vikings weeks ago. I believe both parties agreed to play out the charade that has went on the last few weeks. Brett claims he made the decision all in one moment, Monday, when Childress called again. Really? Sorry Brett, but I find it hard to believe you make that decision, pack, fly to Minny, get your physical, suit up, practice, and be scheduled to start Friday's pre-season game all in less than 36 hours. No sir, not unless a plan was in place and everyone important knew this was your arrival date.

Now that Favre is here and ready to play, ask yourself why? Brett was stunned when the Packers didn't want him back last year. He finally realized that GM Ted Thompson and Head Coach Mike McCarthy no longer wanted him, but wanted Aaron Rodgers instead. Brett has 2 goals in mind. Number 1, win another Super Bowl. This will directly contribute to number 2, which is driving the stake into Thompson and McCarthy's heart that they were wrong to choose Rodgers over him. Is Favre really willing to ruin his legacy with the Packer fans just to get revenge on Thompson and McCarthy? Yes sir he is. Remember to succeed at the level Favre has, you must be a vicious competitor. Few things are more demeaning in pro sports than for the organization that you are worshipped by to show you the door when you have just completed a 13-3 year and NFC Championship game appearance. Favre should be fiercely motivated with vengance in his eyes. Two things will determine whether he succeeds. We will address those in the next article. Stay Tuned!

Is Dungy Risking Too Much For Vick?

Tony Dungy has proven to be a wonderful man of great character. He has build an impeccable reputation as a human being not only in the NFL but in society itself. Dungy is the ideal person to be a mentor for, not only Michael Vick, but for all NFL players. In fact, I believe the NFL should start a new mentoring program for those players who have issues with drugs, drinking, arrests, domestic violence, and etc. Dungy should head the program and any player that gets in trouble should enter the program. With all of that said, I cannot get away from one recurring question that I have with regard to Dungy mentoring Vick. Has Dungy stuck his neck out too far for Vick?

I believe Dungy is a truthful man and that he believes that Vick has remorse. Only time will tell if Vick has truly change or not. I believe Vick should be allowed to play in the NFL again. He has paid his due to society. His actions were awful but he has admitted his guilt, took a while but he did, and he has paid his debt. I also believe he should have very strict limitations with any serious offenses resulting in permanent ban from the NFL. Dungy has went to bat for Vick to the ninth degree. Not only mentoring, but vouching for Vick that Vick deserves this chance and that Vick has changed. Dungy has made very direct statements that presents himself as very confident about Vick.

My question is what if Vick makes another bad mistake? Note that I wrote "bad" mistake. We all know he will make mistakes, as we all do. However, if he makes a bad mistake that ruins this chance for him, how will that impact Dungy's reputation? Dungy has worked a lifetime to build this reputation. Should Dungy be with Vick twenty four hours a day for seven days a week to make sure Vick walks the line? No, absolutely not. Vick is a grown man and must make his own decisions. Is Dungy responsible if Vick goes astray? No, absolutely not. Dungy can only mentor he can't make Vick behave in a certain way. Should people look at Dungy different if Vick makes that bad mistake? No, absolutely not but that doesn't mean that people will not question Dungy's ability as a character reference.

If Mike Vick doesn't take advantage of this opportunity and makes another bad mistake, whatever it may be, will I think worse of Tony Dungy? No. Tony Dungy's life speaks for itself. There is more than enough proof in the pudding. Tony Dungy is the ideal man to lead a "mentoring" program for the entire NFL and if I were Roger Goodell I would pursue that today. Unfortunately, Dungy has given the appearance of total confidence in Vick. Confidence is ok, but Dungy should have left the impression more open ended by noting that only Vick knows if he has changed and only Vick can make sure Vick behaves appropiately. Dungy's intentions are good as always. However, should Vick fail Dungy with another bad mistake, Dungy's reputation will take a hit of some sort. Dungy should be careful to state his belief in Vick, while at the same time put all of the responsibility on Vick by stating, "Michael Vick's future is in the hands of Michael Vick".

Pre-season NFL Television Ratings Show By How Far The NFL Is The #1 Sport!

Finally, football is back as the Titans and Bills played the Hall of Fame game on Sunday night. Sure, the starters only played one quarter and the guys playing in the 4th quarter had hardly ever been heard of, but it was NFL football on TV again. If you are like me then you make the same statement over and over again on almost a daily basis during the football off season, "Without football, there is absolutely nothing but garbage on TV!".

How great is it to have NFL football back on TV? Well, the TV ratings made it very, very clear that it was greater than ever to have the pro pigskin back. According to ESPN, the pre-season game between the Titans and Bills had a rating of 5.2 (whatever that means). The Yankees and Red Sox were playing a real regular season game on TV at the same time as the Titans and Bills. The best rivalry in baseball playing a key 1st vs 2nd place prime time game had a rating in the 3's (again whatever that means).

Baseball, basketball, golf, NASCAR (if you consider it a sport, I consider it a competition among "machinists" not athletes), hockey, MMA fighting, boxing, and any other TV sport you can name are good. However, when a meaningless pre-season NFL game pulls a blowout in TV ratings over the best rivalry in baseball, it is just visual proof of what we have all known all along - that the NFL is far and away the absolute, no questions asked, undisputed #1 sport in the United States of America. It is not even close, it could be the biggest blowout you have ever witnessed.

So let's welcome NFL football back to TV with wide open arms and tears of joy. Don't blink, stay wide eyed, and don't miss any of it. Just like a great roller coaster, you stand in line forever then the ride is over so fast you barely remember it. NFL football on TV is an oasis full of ice cold water in the middle of the desert that is television viewing throughout the year. Drink! No, gulp! Yes, gulp my friends, gulp as fast as you can from this oasis. Before you know it, we will be back in the blistering hot desert of non-NFL TV that is full of garbage programs, reruns, and boring sports!

I Could Be A Reality Coach For Pro Athletes!

As I was reading up on pro football on Thursday morning, I read a story that opened my eyes to a glaring need. After hearing of so many pro athletes who say things that are absurd and do things that are embarrassing, I believe I can be a big help as a "reality coach". Yes, I would charge $10,000 a month to keep these people in touch with reality or to basically do what my father, or your father, mother, brother, sister, grandmother, cousin, best friend, etc. would do.

The article I read was about Vince Young's interview with Esquire magazine. Vince has proclaimed he will be the next African American quarterback to win a Super Bowl. If you can stop laughing long enough to pay attention, he continued with the statement that he will make the pro football hall of fame. Ok, dry your eyes and settle down the laughter. I have no problem with Vince believing that about himself. In fact, you must have that kind of confidence to succeed at the pro level. However, you don't say it when you are struggling as a backup. He should be saying nothing but how he is working to help the team and prove that he is a starting quarterback when he gets his next opportunity.

Brett Favre has went on and on for 3 or 4 years now about he may retire, no he won't, no wait he will. Brett acts as though people can't get on with their lives until they find out if he will play or not. He displays an unprecedented amount of arrogance, conceit, vanity, and self worship.

Of course, then you have T.O. Terrell Owens even proclaims that he loves him some him. Chad Johnson makes it clear that his mind is on him getting attention rather than on his team getting better. Plaxico Burress carries an illegal gun into a club, blatantly breaks the law and then expects not to do any jail time at all. Huh? Me or you wouldn't get to testify before the grand jury and try to prey on their sympathy. We would be headed for the lock up for the mandatory 3 1/2 years without questions, comments, passing "Go", or collecting $200.

I have only 1 question, is there not anyone around these individuals to inform them of how ridiculous they look and sound. Someone that they respect to say "Hey, what are you thinking?". If I did any of these things I would have numerous family members and friends ripping me right to my face about how embarrassing I was acting. Sure, I understand that my family is outstanding and not more than 5% of people have that kind of family, but isn't there someone - anyone?
Well, appartently there isn't or if there is these athletes, who have become sad excuses for people, refuse to listen. I believe that you, the reader of this, can name at least 2 people that would give you a dose of reality should you become famous and act like an idiot.

Sure once you reach the level of Elvis Presley or Michael Jackson you can make your inner circle of only "yes" people and enablers. I have trouble believing that every pro athlete can do that. Therefore, I am here to help. For a mere $10,000 a month, I will tell pro athletes and celebrities how silly, stupid, ridiculous, and disgusting they look and sound. I have to charge a huge sum of money or they will not believe I am any good. I will be there every time they mess up. With my guidance of common sense, these people will become more likeable and gain respect from others, goodness knows they already have too much self respect. I will be like a drill seargant telling them how they cannot make such foolish statements or act like they are better and more important than any other human to walk the planet.

The best part is I will never be out of work. Not only will there always be plenty of these self absorbed ego maniacs around acting like idiots, but even when someone close to them warns them and counsels them about their actions THEY WILL NOT LISTEN! Vince, if you are going to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, you will need to buy a ticket and take a tour. Brett, as much as you think people love you, they have grown to despise you over the last few years. T.O., you may love you some you, but most people can't stand them some you. Chad, you get attention alright, attention as an underachieving laughing stock.

By the way, all of those comments were "free samples" as I didn't charge for them. Future counsel will be $10,000 a month - what's that Dad? I am ridiculous for charging $10,000 a month just for acting like I care about someone's well being? See, do you see, I can't even write a blog without being put in my place!

4 Things To Expect In The 2009 NFL Season

Baseball is boring, basketball is basketball, golfers are mentally weak, and NASCARs can only turn left. EUPHORIA! LET FOOTBALL BEGIN - ESPECIALLY, THE NFL! As the 2009 NFL season is rapidly approaching with training camps in full force, let's take a brief moment to give a shout out to loyal follower Duran Smith and give you 4 items you should expect this year.

4) Expect the San Francisco 49ers to notably improve and contend for the NFC West division title. Head Coach Mike Singletary is the real deal and will be a candidate for Coach of the Year. He can and will get the best out of his players. His no nonsense approach with no room for excuses reminds one of Bill Parcels. Whether he will win championships like Parcels did remains to be seen. However, if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and acts like a duck, it is probably a duck. The only serious question is whether Singletary has a real quarterback on the roster. This could be the one flaw that hinders his and the Niners evolution back to a winning franchise. Expect the Niners to be better in '09 because of their head coach.

3) Expect Washington Redskins Head Coach Jim Zorn and Houston Texans Head Coach Gary Kubiak to be on the hottest seats all season. Redskins Owner Daniel Snyder thinks he is playing fantasy football and replaces people faster than Paris Hilton replaces boyfriends. In addition, Snyder is always after that legendary name and there are plenty of those out there in Bill Cowher, Mike Shanahan, and Jon Gruden. Expect the Redskins to be mediocre at best and Snyder to fire Zorn immediately and hire Mike Shanahan, who has made it very clear that he wants to coach again in the '10 NFL season. Kubiak simply is at the end of his opportunity. He must put up or be shut up. Texans make the playoffs he is safe. Texans don't make the playoffs he is fired, very simple.

2) Expect Saints' running back Reggie Bush to find his career in serious jeopardy as his knee problem continues to get worse. Rumors have flown that Bush had microfracture surgery in the off season. Microfracture surgery is a procedure that tries to help the lack of cartilage between the bones in the knee. It has been rarely successful. If unsuccessful the knee eventually wears to bone rubbing on bone and a knee replacement somewhere in the future. The knee already has swelling and Bush has been unable to finish practices in training camp. Expect the career of Reggie Bush to begin a downward spiral in '09 due to the fact that knee will never get better.

1) Surely you could guess number 1. If you couldn't I am disappointed in you. Either you aren't a fan of this blogger or you aren't paying attention. Expect Brett Favre to want to play in '09. Yes, I know he has said he isn't playing and the Vikings claim to have moved on, but Brett will announce he wants to play. See, Brett just didn't want to have to live in a college dorm with a bunch of 20 somethings for a month of training camp. Will the Vikings take him when he does want to play? Of course, he gives them a real shot at the Super Bowl, if he is healthy. It may be the 3rd week of August, it may be week 4, it may even be November 1st, but expect Brett Favre to want to play in the '09 NFL season.