Favre likely dealt within a day

by | Aug 6, 2008 | NFL Breaking News

While the Web site www.SaveBrett.net was wrong about the timing of a potential trade announcement it does appear as though the Green Bay Packers will deal Brett Favre within the next several hours.

Several media reports indicate that while the New York Jets are interested in Favre the Tampa Bay Buccaneers appear to be the likely destination for the diva/star quarterback.

Some reports indicate he will be traded for a draft pick. Fanball cited a Tampa Tribune story that I have not yet located saying Brian Griese will head north to backup Aaron Rodgers.

A move to Tampa creates a few more interesting sidenotes. First of all, Jon Gruden has accumulated an entire roster’s worth of quarterbacks including Chris Simms, Bruce Gradkowski, Griese, Luke McCown and, of course, Jeff Garcia, who had a solid season last year but who also has been upset at the Bucs’ refusal to renegotiate his contract.

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Favre to the Bucs, according to …

by | Aug 5, 2008 | NFL Breaking News

SaveBrett.net, yes, the fan site SaveBrett.net, is reporting that Brett Favre is being traded to Tampa Bay.

In yet another example of how this bizarre soap opera continues to set new thresholds for the bizarre, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is citing the web site in reporting that Brett Favre has been traded to Tampa Bay.

Ted Thompson reportedly has been with Favre and family discussing trade possibilities all day. SaveBrett.net, which has someone on site at Packers training camp, believes coach Mike McCarthy will be announcing the deal in a press conference shortly.

SaveBrett.net apparently informed the Green Bay Press Gazette, the Journal Sentinel, and another fan site, BringBackBrettFavre.com of the deal, which it sources to “a source close to Favre.”

SaveBrett.net, which wants management to restore Favre to his positions of Lord, err, quarterback of the Packers, claims the mood at training camp is “very down and gloomy.” The site is also asking fans to sign a petition protesting the team’s decision.

Has a fan site beaten Jay Glazer, Adam Schefter, all the local papers and every other news source in the world to the news of a Favre trade? Time will tell. Can this get any weirder? One can only guess.

Glazer: QB job belongs to Rodgers

by | Aug 5, 2008 | NFL ... something

A couple days after it came out that Brett Favre would be allowed to compete with Aaron Rodgers for the Green Bay Packers’ starting quarterback position, FoxSports.com’s Jay Glazer is now reporting that there will not be an open competition.

It’s only fitting that this bizarre saga continue to unfold with reports that Favre will get a chance to compete for the job … or not.

This situation couldn’t get any stranger if the Packers brought in a former White House press secretary to help them with crisis communications.

Errrrr…

Hester makes case to start

by | Aug 4, 2008 | NFL Random Thoughts

Devin Hester apparently is making a case to start for the Chicago Bears at wide receiver this fall.

Umm, I think I could make a case to start for the Chicago Bears at wide receiver this fall.

Okay, maybe that’s a stretch. And Hester did apparently beat both Nathan Vashar and Charles Tillman, two solid cornerbacks, in practice, according to the Chicago Daily Herald. But it’d still be more surprising if he didn’t make a case for a starting role given that he is competing with Mark Bradley (injury prone), Marty Booker (aging) and Brandon Lloyd (crappy).

They might not have a choice but to give him significant minutes on offense. But my biggest worries if I were the Bears would be A) Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton throwing him the ball and B) whether a regular role in the wide receiver rotation would have an adverse effect on his skills as a return man.

If the answer to the latter question is yes I’d be hesitant to put him out on offense every down. As a receiver he is unproven. As a return man he is a game changer and by scoring four or five touchdowns on punts and kickoffs could easily steal a game or two that the otherwise offensively undertalented Bears don’t deserve to win.

Livid to loved: Grant happy with contract

by | Aug 4, 2008 | Contract Squabbles, Fantasy Football, NFL News

About a week after his agent told reporters Ryan Grant was livid with the Green Bay Packers’ first contract offer, the running back has joined teammates in training camp after signing a 4-year, $30 million deal.

He had been an exclusive rights free agent but held out seeking a long-term contract.

Grant took control of a putrid Packers running game last season falling just short of 1,000 yards rushing in half a season as a starter. He figures to start again this year despite a strong camp thus far by Brandon Jackson, a second year player who disappointed as a rookie.

Grant’s biggest concern now is that several teammates have demanded that he take them out for dinner.

While Grant looked good last year we think he’s a risk as a fantasy player this season, especially if Aaron Rodgers wins the quarterback competition allegedly taking place between he and Brett Favre. Defenses have had an offseason to study him and they’ll also likely be keying on Grant to force the passing game to beat them. Expect a decent season but games where he looks nothing like the backfield savior he was last year.