Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Brett's All, Folks!!!
Yeah, we've been down this road before, but this time it looks like it's for real: Brett Favre, has told his agent to let the New York Jets know that No. 4 is, ahem, "packing" it up forever. It's hardly a surprise, at this point.
And, unlike last year, when Favre arrived almost out of the blue, with great expectations (probably a bit too great) all around -- the feeling now is, thanks for the year, Brett. There were some good times and there were some disappointments. The Jets have a new coach, have a good running game and a not-bad defense. Sure, we now no longer have a real quarterback, but, hey, why be greedy?!?!
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And, unlike last year, when Favre arrived almost out of the blue, with great expectations (probably a bit too great) all around -- the feeling now is, thanks for the year, Brett. There were some good times and there were some disappointments. The Jets have a new coach, have a good running game and a not-bad defense. Sure, we now no longer have a real quarterback, but, hey, why be greedy?!?!
Labels: Brett Favre, New York Jets
Thursday, August 07, 2008
B-R-E-T-T-S JETS! JETS! JETS!
RT contributor Ed McGonigal's nightmare, got even worse -- sports media's favorite boy toy, No. 4 will play this season in the country's biggest media market.
Jet fans are ecstatic, however, one wonders whether Favre's iron man streak of games started will survive an improved, yet inexperienced Jet offensive-line unit.
One major farewell salute though to Chad Pennington. He's the loser in the Favre merry-go-round. The Jets will either release or trade him within hours. Pennington never had the strongest arm, but he was a classy, gutty QB who took the team to the playoffs three times in his career -- even surving Herman Edwards not-so-imaginative offensive schemes. Happy trails, Chad.
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Jet fans are ecstatic, however, one wonders whether Favre's iron man streak of games started will survive an improved, yet inexperienced Jet offensive-line unit.
One major farewell salute though to Chad Pennington. He's the loser in the Favre merry-go-round. The Jets will either release or trade him within hours. Pennington never had the strongest arm, but he was a classy, gutty QB who took the team to the playoffs three times in his career -- even surving Herman Edwards not-so-imaginative offensive schemes. Happy trails, Chad.
Labels: Brett Favre, Chad Pennington, NFL
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Newt endorses...Favre?!
I love it when someone in the political arena starts spouting football advice. It usually ends up badly (see Limbaugh and McNabb). But this one takes the cake: Newt Gingrich thinks the Green Bay Packers ought to take back Brett Favre, now that he's decided to unretire after finally retiring after threatening to retire after every season since Nixon was President.
Unfortunately, Newt has as much credibility on this issue as Al "I own stock in every alternative energy company" Gore has on Global Warming. Per Newt's own letter, posted on Humanevents.com:
Newt goes on:
But Newt shows his true intentions later. He doesn't want Favre playing for one of the Packer's divisional opponents (which is about as likely as Global Warming, but I digress):
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Unfortunately, Newt has as much credibility on this issue as Al "I own stock in every alternative energy company" Gore has on Global Warming. Per Newt's own letter, posted on Humanevents.com:
Paul Lubbers is my son-in-law, but we share more than family ties. He's also a fellow shareholder in the Green Bay Packers. And as responsible shareholders, we – like many of those invested in the Green & Gold - feel compelled to speak out on the turmoil surrounding the return of Brett Favre to the NFL and whether or not he should wear Packer's uniform.Can you say "vested interest"?
Newt goes on:
Should Favre have taken some time (like he did the past few years) to rest, recover and reclaim some perspective? Yes. Did he make a bad decision to retire? Also Yes. Should Ted Thompson [the Packer's General Manager] and the Packers welcome him back to Packers family? Absolutely!!All Newt needs here is a "Dean scream"
But Newt shows his true intentions later. He doesn't want Favre playing for one of the Packer's divisional opponents (which is about as likely as Global Warming, but I digress):
I understand that the Packers have made plans to build the offense around Aaron Rodgers, but plans are made to change. And in this case the Packers should adjust their plans quickly to bring back Favre. Can you imagine Favre as a Viking or even worse a Chicago Bear?The best response to this was from Josh Alper over at Profootballtalk.com:
If you were unsure that a politician was writing this letter, there’s your proof. Who else would argue against a choice of action by stoking up the fear of the least likely potential outcome? I’m surprised he didn’t follow it up with a story about a strong American family he met while campaigning who told him about how they once had an opportunity to allow Brett Favre back onto their team but passed on it. Then the bank foreclosed on their house, the kids got Ricketts and Grandma ended up on food stamps.I should state for the record that I agree with Newt and I am personally in favor of Brett Favre coming out of retirement, and the fact that I picked up Favre on my keeper league team has absolutely NOTHING to do with it!
...I just had a terrifying vision of Jimmy Carter on a plane to Green Bay to sit down between Favre and [Ted] Thompson which means I’m pretty sure we’ve reached the point of oversaturation for this story.
Labels: Brett Favre, Newt Gingrich
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Somebody Tie Ed Down...
...before the McGonigal man goes for his gun rack on this news.
Hey, Brett, when you're one funny movie cameo was ten years ago, you're officially no longer cool. How can we miss you, if you WON'T STAY AWAY!!!
Besides, guess who will wanna come back -- just to get one more gimme sack?
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Hey, Brett, when you're one funny movie cameo was ten years ago, you're officially no longer cool. How can we miss you, if you WON'T STAY AWAY!!!
Besides, guess who will wanna come back -- just to get one more gimme sack?
Labels: Brett Favre, NFL
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Ed's Long National Nightmare Is Over
RT's NFL blogging partner-in-crime, Ed McGonigal is a happy man today:
Brett Favre is finally hanging them up!
Brett, as Ed pointed out to RT readers a few months back, is to sports media what Barack Obama is to the political journalists.
On a completely unrelated note, doing a bit of Googling, I discovered that there is another Ed McGonigal, one who lives above the Mason-Dixon line. And, what a coincidence, this one is making a career out of what I do on the side -- stand-up comedy! Small world!
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Brett Favre is finally hanging them up!
Brett, as Ed pointed out to RT readers a few months back, is to sports media what Barack Obama is to the political journalists.
On a completely unrelated note, doing a bit of Googling, I discovered that there is another Ed McGonigal, one who lives above the Mason-Dixon line. And, what a coincidence, this one is making a career out of what I do on the side -- stand-up comedy! Small world!
Labels: Brett Favre, Ed McGonigal, NFL
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
2007 Sportsman of the Year?!?!?!
Who else?
That spinning head? The hideous shriek? The slashing of wrists and gouging out of eyes?
That would be our own Ed McGonigal.
It would be best to leave Ed alone right about now.
[It hadn't occurred to me, but I have to agree with ESPN Radio's Mike and Mike, who mentioned it this morning: Tony Dungy would have been a much better choice -- even though the AFC championship and Super Bowl games occurred during the first five weeks of 2007. Yes, the historical nature of being the first blackman head coach to win the Super Bowl is nice to note, but there are far more substantial reasons that make Dungy deserving: He finally got the "can't-win-the-big-one" monkey off both his and Peyton Manning's/the Colts' backs. Furthermore, in a pretty horrid year of bad sportsmanship (Michael Vick, NBA referee gambling, Pacman Jones, Barry Bonds, the Tour de France) -- he is one of the classiest, most upstanding men in sports.]
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That spinning head? The hideous shriek? The slashing of wrists and gouging out of eyes?
That would be our own Ed McGonigal.
It would be best to leave Ed alone right about now.
[It hadn't occurred to me, but I have to agree with ESPN Radio's Mike and Mike, who mentioned it this morning: Tony Dungy would have been a much better choice -- even though the AFC championship and Super Bowl games occurred during the first five weeks of 2007. Yes, the historical nature of being the first black
Labels: Brett Favre, overrated, pro football, Tony Dungy
Friday, November 30, 2007
Sports Media Bias: Brett Favre
We have all heard of the liberal Media bias displayed by most Media sources. But there is a Media bias far more glaring and obvious than anything the Media does related to politics. That bias is towards Brett Favre.
If you took Cal Ripken's durability and work ethic and combined it with John Kruk's wit and love of the game, and put it into a football player, you would have Brett Favre, who is without question one of the great quarterbacks playing, as well as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time.
But the media treatment of Favre would lead you to think he transcends the game itself. Last night's Cowboys-Packers game was a disgusting example of Favre bias on full display.
Favre got injured in the second quarter. Mind you, the game was still being played, but you might not know it from the coverage. While Bryant Gumbel and Cris Collinsworth were droning on about Favre's injury, we got to see repeated replays of the play where Favre got hurt. While Aaron Rodgers led the Packers on a touchdown drive at the end of the second quarter (something Favre had not accomplished while he was in there, and I don't count Ryan Grant's 62 yard touchdown run as Favre's accomplishment), you would think Islamic terrorists had flown an airplane into Brett Favre's arm based on the amount of coverage it was getting.
But it was clear from the replay that Favre hit his arm on a defender's helmet as he was trying to throw. Worst case scenario was that Favre broke his arm, but it didn't even look that serious from the replay. Considering Favre is hoping to play next week, it is safe to say it is a minor injury.
The halftime show was even worse. At one point, Rich Eisen nailed the bias when he called the score of the game "secondary" to Favre's injury. I might buy that if Favre had broken his neck, or sustained some other life-threatening injury. But was it really necessary to have the camera on the locker room door when the Packers came out for the second half, with the constant "we don't see Favre coming out with the team" comments?
Just when you think the "Favre love-in" cannot get any worse, the third quarter started. Or did it? Forget the game! Forget replays of the action on the field! Favre is leaving the locker room! Favre is returning to the field!
Thank God the Packers announced Favre would not be returning to the game. Otherwise, Gumbel and Collinsworth might have spent the entire second half wondering if Favre would be returning. As it was, we got treated to plenty of camera shots of Favre standing on the sidelines in the second half, as if just the mere presence of Favre on the sidelines added to the game somehow.
While the announcers were busy gushing over Brett Favre, his replacement was actually having a better game than Favre. The final stat line for both:
During the second half, Bryant Gumbel noted how there would be "no quarterback controversy in Green Bay". Probably because the Media would skewer Green Bay's management if they even hinted at benching Favre.
Don't get me wrong. I am NOT saying the Packers should bench Favre. But the Media will not even consider the possibility, which is a dereliction of the Media's duty. When a public figure is not performing as well as they should, the Media has a responsibility to question whether that public figure is worthy of their position. For the Media to place a public figure above scrutiny is the definition of bias.
Any politician would kill to get the kind of Media bias that Brett Favre enjoys. The drinking problems from early in his career? Forgotten. The fact he has thrown more interceptions than any other quarterback in the history of the NFL? No biggie.
If it wasn't for the Media genuflecting before Favre at every oppurtunity, I might enjoy watching the end of Favre's career. As it is, I will be glad when he retires.
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If you took Cal Ripken's durability and work ethic and combined it with John Kruk's wit and love of the game, and put it into a football player, you would have Brett Favre, who is without question one of the great quarterbacks playing, as well as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time.
But the media treatment of Favre would lead you to think he transcends the game itself. Last night's Cowboys-Packers game was a disgusting example of Favre bias on full display.
Favre got injured in the second quarter. Mind you, the game was still being played, but you might not know it from the coverage. While Bryant Gumbel and Cris Collinsworth were droning on about Favre's injury, we got to see repeated replays of the play where Favre got hurt. While Aaron Rodgers led the Packers on a touchdown drive at the end of the second quarter (something Favre had not accomplished while he was in there, and I don't count Ryan Grant's 62 yard touchdown run as Favre's accomplishment), you would think Islamic terrorists had flown an airplane into Brett Favre's arm based on the amount of coverage it was getting.
But it was clear from the replay that Favre hit his arm on a defender's helmet as he was trying to throw. Worst case scenario was that Favre broke his arm, but it didn't even look that serious from the replay. Considering Favre is hoping to play next week, it is safe to say it is a minor injury.
The halftime show was even worse. At one point, Rich Eisen nailed the bias when he called the score of the game "secondary" to Favre's injury. I might buy that if Favre had broken his neck, or sustained some other life-threatening injury. But was it really necessary to have the camera on the locker room door when the Packers came out for the second half, with the constant "we don't see Favre coming out with the team" comments?
Just when you think the "Favre love-in" cannot get any worse, the third quarter started. Or did it? Forget the game! Forget replays of the action on the field! Favre is leaving the locker room! Favre is returning to the field!
Thank God the Packers announced Favre would not be returning to the game. Otherwise, Gumbel and Collinsworth might have spent the entire second half wondering if Favre would be returning. As it was, we got treated to plenty of camera shots of Favre standing on the sidelines in the second half, as if just the mere presence of Favre on the sidelines added to the game somehow.
While the announcers were busy gushing over Brett Favre, his replacement was actually having a better game than Favre. The final stat line for both:
Brett Favre: 5/14, 56 passing yards, 2 interceptions
Aaron Rodgers: 18/26, 201 passing yards, 1 td, 5 rush attempts, 30 rushing yards
During the second half, Bryant Gumbel noted how there would be "no quarterback controversy in Green Bay". Probably because the Media would skewer Green Bay's management if they even hinted at benching Favre.
Don't get me wrong. I am NOT saying the Packers should bench Favre. But the Media will not even consider the possibility, which is a dereliction of the Media's duty. When a public figure is not performing as well as they should, the Media has a responsibility to question whether that public figure is worthy of their position. For the Media to place a public figure above scrutiny is the definition of bias.
Any politician would kill to get the kind of Media bias that Brett Favre enjoys. The drinking problems from early in his career? Forgotten. The fact he has thrown more interceptions than any other quarterback in the history of the NFL? No biggie.
If it wasn't for the Media genuflecting before Favre at every oppurtunity, I might enjoy watching the end of Favre's career. As it is, I will be glad when he retires.
Labels: Brett Favre
Friday, November 16, 2007
The Best NFL Quarterback Playing
Just so I don't take up a huge amount of space on Ragged Thots, I thought I would throw the Thotsters a link to a rather long post I did over on my blog, "The Best NFL Quarterback Playing".
To make a long story short, it comes down to Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, or Brett Favre. You will have to read it to see who I picked, but feel free to comment here.
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To make a long story short, it comes down to Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, or Brett Favre. You will have to read it to see who I picked, but feel free to comment here.
Labels: Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady
Monday, December 25, 2006
The Best Packer Quarterback
When I did my post about "The Best Quarterback of All Time" back in September, I was not expecting to still be getting comments on it in December, but I am.
One thing that struck me in the comments was people claiming Brett Favre as the best of all time. But I don't even consider him the best Green Bay Packer quarterback. That would be Bart Starr.
Using the same criteria I used to determine the best quarterback of all time, Starr is very close to Favre, even considering the different eras in which they each played. Starr's numbers are on the left, with Favre's numbers as of last season:
Completion Percentage: 57.4% vs. 61.5%
Average Gain per Attempt: 7.85 vs. 7.04
Touchdown Percentage: 4.8% vs. 5.2%
Interception Percentage: 4.4% vs. 3.4%
NFL/Super Bowl Championships: 5 vs. 1
Average Rushing Yards per Carry: 5.3 vs. 3.5
Passer Rating: 80.5 vs. 86.0
Those are similar numbers considering the different passing nature of the eras involved. The yards per pass attempt explain a lot. In Starr's era, the passes were generally thrown farther than in the "west coast" era of Favre. This also explains why Favre's completion percentage was higher, although Starr's 57% completion percentage was the NFL career record when Starr retired. Finally, with Starr typically throwing the ball farther than Favre, Starr naturally threw more interceptions per attempt.
But for a true comparison on game management, let's add fumbles to interceptions per game. Favre turned the ball over 1.57 times per game. Starr turned the ball over 0.93 times per game.
But the number that stands out is the championships, where Starr holds a 5-1 advantage. Adding in the facts that Starr was a better runner and game manager than Favre, and Starr is clearly the better Packer quarterback.
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One thing that struck me in the comments was people claiming Brett Favre as the best of all time. But I don't even consider him the best Green Bay Packer quarterback. That would be Bart Starr.
Using the same criteria I used to determine the best quarterback of all time, Starr is very close to Favre, even considering the different eras in which they each played. Starr's numbers are on the left, with Favre's numbers as of last season:
Completion Percentage: 57.4% vs. 61.5%
Average Gain per Attempt: 7.85 vs. 7.04
Touchdown Percentage: 4.8% vs. 5.2%
Interception Percentage: 4.4% vs. 3.4%
NFL/Super Bowl Championships: 5 vs. 1
Average Rushing Yards per Carry: 5.3 vs. 3.5
Passer Rating: 80.5 vs. 86.0
Those are similar numbers considering the different passing nature of the eras involved. The yards per pass attempt explain a lot. In Starr's era, the passes were generally thrown farther than in the "west coast" era of Favre. This also explains why Favre's completion percentage was higher, although Starr's 57% completion percentage was the NFL career record when Starr retired. Finally, with Starr typically throwing the ball farther than Favre, Starr naturally threw more interceptions per attempt.
But for a true comparison on game management, let's add fumbles to interceptions per game. Favre turned the ball over 1.57 times per game. Starr turned the ball over 0.93 times per game.
But the number that stands out is the championships, where Starr holds a 5-1 advantage. Adding in the facts that Starr was a better runner and game manager than Favre, and Starr is clearly the better Packer quarterback.
Labels: Bart Starr, Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers
