Latest Favre Rumor Just a Marketing Ploy?

by | Jun 9, 2009 | 2009 NFL Free Agency, Business of Football, NFL Rumors

The latest rumor (other than ESPN’s update tonight that the Vikings have suspended their pursuit of Favre–presumably until tomorrow, when they wake up and start again) is that Favre’s family and friends have booked a block of rooms at the Midway Motor Lodge near Lambeau Field for the weekend of the Vikings game against the Green Bay Packers on Nov. 1

Every report of this story that I’ve seen has been accompanied by the mention that this COULD be a sign that Favre has told those close to him that he is returning.

But what if it isn’t?  What if a really clever manager or bellhop just started the rumor to drum up some publicity for the Midway Motor Lodge?  Get some early reservations going, and hope that people don’t cancel in time, or decide to make the trip even if Favre stays retired?

Or, another possibility–what if Favre has actually decided NOT to come back, and he’s been in touch with the Packers, and that’s the weekend they’re finally going to retire #4?

OK, admittedly, neither of those scenarios seem real plausible–but neither does the idea that family & friends booking a block of rooms means he’s 100% coming back, if you ask me.

Until we finally hear something direct from Brad Childress or Favre himself, all of these reports–NFL Network, ESPN, etc–they are all 100% speculation, in my eyes.  And speculation that I could care less about.  After all, it’s only about two and a hlaf months until our first fantasy draft…

Winslow Skips Out on New Team

by | May 14, 2009 | NFL News

Newly acquired Kellen Winslow Jr. skipped out on the Bucaneers first voluntary wokouts on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.

Winslow, acquired from the Browns in February and given a $42 million contract with over $20 million guaranteed, apparently informed the Bucs he would miss the practices, and team officials and players didn’t seem concerned.

Quarterback Luke McCown, likely battling for the starting spot, offered this gem:

“Kellen is a professional, he’s a Pro Bowler, he knows how to get his body ready.  I talk with Kellen weekly and make sure we’re on the same page.”

Really?  A quick chat on the phone to make sure you’re “on the same page” sure is going to help your timing on routes.

Former Buc Warren Sapp, like Winslow a former Miami Hurricane, offered a different view:

“So when your team fires up OTA’s and you’re not here, I guess you’re being misunderstood again, right? Your past don’t equal your future, but it will damn sure give me some reflection of what you might do. I’ll leave it at that.”

Apparently Winslow’s excuse for missing the workouts is that he is moving his family to Tampa.  Apparently, despite two months notice and several million dollars in his pocket, and this week just happens to be the only time Winslow could move his family.

New offense, new coach, unsettled quarterback situation, and one of the guys expected to be featured in the offense–a guy who has a checkered past when it comes to being able to stay on the field during the regular season, and who said after the trade that he was ready for a new beginning and that as “I stand here before you now, I think I’m a changed man,” and he’s already skipping practices with a lame excuse.

Yep, good luck in Tampa Bay this season.  You might need it.

Finally, an NFL Team Gets Uniform Redesign Right

by | May 11, 2009 | We Forgot

Somehow the official announcement got past us, but I picked up on an article today regarding the effort to put the stripes back on the San Francisco 49ers new uniforms, and I have to say, it’s nice to see a team change their uniforms using their past as a guide, rather than using Nike and the Arena League as their inspriation.

I never understood why the 49ers added the drop shadow to the numbers on their uniforms in the first place–and apparently, by eliminating, the new uniforms are lighter now as well.  Maybe the uniforms will help Mike Singletary get more out of his players?

Hopefully this will start a trend in the league, and we will see a return to classic uniforms for more teams, for more than just 1-2 “throwback” games a year.  The Vikings, in particular, always look way sharper in their classic duds with stripes on the sleeves and grey facemasks.

We can only hope that the Titans, Bills, Seahawks and other teams that have fallen in love with pastel and monochrome arena league style uniforms will follow.  Before they start putting ads on the uniforms.

Will Favre Return in 2010?

by | Apr 28, 2009 | 2009 NFL Free Agency

With the Jets moving up in Saturday’s draft to take USC QB Mark Sanchez, the Jets will have to significantly commit financially to Sanchez for the 2009 season. One of my first thoughts after the move was, where does this leave Brett Favre?

Obviously Favre retired, so at the current time, it’s not a problem for the Jets.  But what if Favre, conveniently after the Jets commit to Sanchez, decides to un-retire again?  He would quickly find himself in a situation similar to last season with the Packers–owed a big chunk of money by a team that didn’t want him, forcing them to release him or cut him, or likely be over the salary cap.

And earlier today, the Jets avoided any such scenario, by granting Favre his release.

While Favre currently maintains that he has no plans to return in 2010, the release means that he is free to sign with any team in the NFL, eliminating the clause the Packers included in last season’s trade that penalized the Jets if they turned around and traded him to the Vikings (where Favre reportedly wanted to go).

While Favre did file his retirement papers this time around, from what I’ve read, it is still just a matter of filing for reinstatement, if he were to change his mind again.

And with the Vikings seemingly set at nearly every spot EXCEPT quarterback, one has to wonder if coach Brad Childress might not call his old pal Favre, at least to see what his feelings really are as it related to his second retirement…

Fantasy Football in 2009: Avoid Fitzgerald?

by | Apr 24, 2009 | Fantasy Football, NFL ... something

Just read on Twitter (and USA Today) that EA Sports has announced who will be on the cover of Madden 2010–and for those of you that believe in the ‘Madden Curse,’ making your fantasy cheat sheets should be an interesting challange this fall.

EA Sports Madden 2010 Cover

EA Sports Madden 2010 Cover

The game will feature Larry Fitzgerald–considered by many the top fantasy receiver in the game and a likely top 12 pick in almost any draft–on the cover.

Of course, that could change if the Cardinals move Anquan Boldin this weekend–or if you believe in that Madden Curse, which has struck Barry Sanders, Eddie George, Daunte Culpepper, Marshall Faulk, Michael Vick, Ray Lewis, Donovan McNabb, Shaun Alexander and Vince Young.

EA, in what might be seen as some as a move to try to counter the curse, will for the first time every feature two players on the cover, pairing Fitzgerald with one of his opponents from Super Bowl XLIII, Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu.

So you might want to knock the Steelers defense down a few pegs on your draft board as well.