Favre story overshadows Hall of Fame game

by | Aug 3, 2008 | NFL Breaking News

At least Brett Favre had the good sense to not overshadow Saturday’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The Green Bay quarterback, or not, however, has reportedly landed in Green Bay as of Sunday evening and the team has now decided there will be an open competition during training camp between him and Aaron Rodgers.

“In this election year we’ve now seen the ultimate flip flop,” said Adam Schefter of the NFL Network. He was referring, of course, to the team’s assertion all offseason up until today that Rodgers would be the unquestioned starter.

Perhaps I’m being a bit of a sap in saying this, but what disturbs me a bit is the attention this has taken away not so much from a reasonably unimportant preseason game Sunday night but from a weekend that should be focused on the six inductees into the Hall of Fame.

That said, and since it is the news of the day, for a team that expects to compete for the Super Bowl – or should, based on last season anyway – I think allowing for a quarterback competition would be the right move. I would bet 100 times out of 100 that Favre gives the team a better chance to return to and go deep into the playoffs.

I remain skeptical that the competition is really the team’s intention, however. My sense is that it’s subterfuge – an effort to give the team more time to explore trade options and perhaps increase his value a bit. My best guess is that Favre still ends up in New York or Tampa.

Just my opinion.

2008 season kicks off in minutes

by | Aug 3, 2008 | Fantasy Football, NFL Breaking News

I was hoping to do a bit more specific write-up on the Hall of Fame inductions from Saturday but the day got away from me a bit. I’ll let the NFL Hall of Fame Web site profiles and induction speeches speak for themselves. Please see attached.

Congratulations to the six inductees, five of whom I grew up watching – I’m not ready to say I’m getting old, but the fact that guys I watched when I was in college are now making the Hall is … eye opening.

But we’ll get past that pretty easily tonight. The 2008 season is about to kick off. I don’t think there’s a ton to be learned about the Indianapolis Colts from tonight’s tilt. Perhaps it’ll be worth paying attention to what Jim Sorgi does in case Peyton Manning misses a game or two of the real season, but Marvin Harrison and several of the other Colts veterans aren’t expected to play much if at all.

The early minutes of the Redskins season, on the other hand, could be telling. Jason Campbell is learning something like his 23rd offense in the last eight seasons going back to his college years. How is he picking it up? Will Jim Zorn’s version of the West Coast offense succeed? What is it going to mean for Clinton Portis? Chris Cooley? Both are guys who could improve their numbers and thus their fantasy statuses this year – but only if Campbell proves capable.

In reality this game is probably only going to be interesting for a quarter – if that. But the big picture for me is that the games are starting – that means the true countdown can begin. Just a month and a day until the Regular Season begins – woo hoo!!! To borrow a line from Monday nights, “Are you ready for some football?”

Smith suspended two games

by | Aug 2, 2008 | NFL Breaking News

The Carolina Panthers have suspended wide receiver Steve Smith for the first two regular season games after Smith cold-cocked teammate and fellow-starter Ken Lucas, according to Fox Sports Radio and other media reports.

Smith broke Lucas’ nose, according to coach John Fox, according to the Associated Press. Smith will play in preseason games and practice with the team again starting Monday.

Had to happen. Hurts the team early on but if the Panthers hadn’t acted they A) run the risk of losing the locker room and B) let Smith think he can get away with these antics. The Panthers will likely be better off in the long run but they were a borderline playoff team before this – if they open 0-2 it doesn’t help the team’s cause – or Fox’s.

Panthers’ Smith beats crap out of teammate

by | Aug 1, 2008 | NFL Breaking News

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith was sent home from training camp after beating the crap out of cornerback Ken Lucas while the two were on the sidelines with their helmets off.

According to the Associated Press, it took linebacker Jon Beason to pry Smith off of Lucas, who ProFootballTalk.com reports may have a broken orbital bone.

Three-time Pro Bowler Smith, one of the highest-paid and most successful wide receivers in the NFL, received anger management training after clocking teammate Anthony Bright during a film session in 2002. He was fined and suspended for a game that time. Unlike Bright, Lucas is a starter.

General Manager Marty Hurney told the AP the team would handle the fight internally. Coaches often love it when there’s some spunk shown during practice, but we are guessing this isn’t the kind of thing they’re looking for.

Charchian chimes in on Fantasy Football 08

by | Aug 1, 2008 | Fantasy Football

I consider myself a fairly capable fantasy football player and I’ll put my history up against that of nearly anyone else. But a couple seasons ago I was stumped. I entered the championship game on a roll, having won seven of nine matchups including my semifinal game a week earlier.

But during that game my running backs were decimated with injuries and I was left with little more than waiver-wire options to stock my lineup with for Championship Sunday.

I had a couple ideas but thought I could use some additional guidance – so for the first time ever I emailed the guys at Fantasy Football Weekly, billed as the longest-running show on KFAN-AM radio in the Twin Cities (the show starts up again this Saturday, Aug. 2, at 10 a.m. central time and is podcast-able shortly afterward by clicking “Fan on Demand” at www.KFAN.com).

Paul Charchian, co-host of Fantasy Football Weekly and now founder of LeagueSafe®, and his colleagues recommended I pick up and start both Ron Dayne and Michael Pittman, one at running back and the other in a flex-position. They scored 18 and 9 points respectively helping me to a 64-63 win that netted a nice championship check and bragging rights over a group of east coasters wondering why a country bumpkin from the midwest was even in their league.

A few weeks ago Charchian noticed a post on this site and when contacted by Zoneblitz he graciously agreed to answer some questions and share his thoughts on what to expect during the season ahead.

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