What a mess.  The Green Bay Packers management are in corporate speak. Each word is measured to say nothing, to conceal the anger and resentment that it must feel to have Brett Favre in or around Green Bay. They thought he meant what he said over the winter and that he retired. They moved forward to give Aaron Rodgers a legitimate shot at finding out if he could be the man to run the Packers' offense.  Now, with interventions and back-door deals flying fast and furious, the Packers' management team says it is glad to have Brett back.

Likely said with a forced smile with the feeling of having a rifle at your back. Things have gotten out of hand and the way out is for the team to trade Favre ASAP. That means yesterday. They must be wheelin' and dealing' fielding phone calls from GM's with visions of post-season glory, so they can sell their remaining ticket base.  It's all about money.  Favre will get some. Green Bay will get something. And another team will get Brett Favre.  The dude wants to play and probably can help someone go far this year. This year is Favre's last hurrah.  Next year it may be sayonara, for real.  For some team...we'll find out soon enough.

Continue reading "Green Bay's Circus"

The word unload has some meaning here. It's more apt that trade, exchange, or part ways. No, the Brett Favre situation was disrupting the Green Bay Packers football team. Actually, summer camp opens up today, when, in reality, it started on Monday. The team has lost about a week of practice. And, this summer debacle will affect them as the season begins. One team's loss is another team's gain.  This will be very tangible during the opening week of the season as all eyes are on Favre's replacement at GB and at Favre. How will Rodgers stand up to the scrutiny of the fans and the press?  What are the reasonable expectations of a player who has hardly had any snaps to speak of, since he got to the Packers.  Can he move the team?  Is he a leader of the team?  How does he respond under pressure in the game?  These questions will be answered in weeks to come. The answers will come but it will happen gradually. 

Continue reading "Packs Unload Favre to New York"

About 10,500 fans showed up a day or two ago to see Brett Favre say "Hut, Hut", and afterwards Jet fans were thrilled.  Life should be so easy. The Jets have an out of shape Favre in camp, who is being honest when he says, "It's going to be difficult" for him to get up to speed football-wise.  First he is out of shape. Second, he has to learn a new terminology and playbook. Third, he has to learn names of teammates and coaches.

And, he has to find his way to Jets' training camp on Long Island.  Favre will face off against former Jet QB Chad Pennington who was just picked up by the Dolphins in the Jets' first game in Miami.  Should be a tough game.

There's no question there are huge expectations for the Jets' this season. After all, how many times do you get a 3 time league MVP league to QB your team?  It's downright rare. 

Continue reading "Brett is big in Big Apple"

There are about 30 games, give or take a few, until the regular season ends, and the Chicago Cubs lead the Brewers by 5 games, and the Cardinals by 8. The Cubs sport the best record in the NL, 31 games over .500. This is a bit heady for Cubs fans. The season isn't over yet and it is too soon to talk about "magic numbers"---

But, things look darn good in Wrigleyville. The Cubs are hitting, pitching, and fielding better than any team in recent memory. Unless you go back to not so recent memory, when Chicago last won the World Series, in 1908.

The Cubs are likely to make the playoffs. Then the second season begins. The Cubs look like they are getting ready. Lou Piniella is fine-tuning his team. Having a hitting session with fatigued Kosume Fukudome.  Getting the 7-8-9 rotation set for the bullpen. The Cubs' depth is the deepest in the league.  Having Rich Harden as the 5th starter. He will see post-season action, if he stays healthy.

Continue reading "Heading Home: Cubs look good"