Marc W's Blog

Understanding the Favre mess...

 

I just like most football fans am tired of hearing about this Brett Favre drama.  Although i'm pulling for Favre a bit more I understand the Packers frustration with him.  The whole if he wanted to play he shouldn't have waited so long I get.  And I agree for the most part he kind of forced the organization to draft another QB as in insurance policy to Rodgers and they've moved on.  And I get all the Vikings are a contender and division rival stuff.  I know the Packers did go far last season but in all honesty I felt that was more a lightning in the bottle type of happening.  Last years Packers team exceeded anyones expectations by far and I'd be surprised if they even made the playoffs especially without Brett.  My point is for all the guy did for your organization (I.E. Never getting hurt and having to play musical quarterbacks and enduring only one losing season) don't you almost owe him the chance to play elsewhere even if it is for a division rival. And yes I get the Football is a business thing.  We all know there is no way in hell there going to have him on the roster at season start for 12 million per to backup if he even chooses to endure the embarassment of being behind Rodgers at camp. We all know the team will likely cut him because I truly believe the Jets and Bucs trade options will never come to fruition.  And Favre will most likely will be picked up by the Vikings anyways...  My point is the Vikings would likely surrender a 2nd to 3rd round pick for him, the Packers should get some compensation for a guy they will (Outside of Rodgers getting injured) be otherwise releasing.  Honestly I think its inevitable that he'll be a Viking even if he doesn't play till week 3 or 4 for them(Killing the chance of the dreaded Vikings-Packers Season 1 matchup) .  And how much sense does it make to have a first round Hall of Famer putting adding extra pressure on a QB who has less than a 100 pro snaps in Rodgers. Kill the media circus Thompson grant him his release he earned it and you've moved on. But hey what do I know....  Your Thoughts????  And no i'm not a Vikings fans.. Go 49ers!!!!

Jeter or Ripken Jr???

 

I saw Cal Ripken Jr today on a commercial, and being a huge Yankees fan the thought came to me.  If you had to chose a starting shortstop would it being Jeter or Ripken Jr??  Being a Yankees fan I may a bit biased, but I would have to go with Jeter.  I know Ripken is an Ironman in terms of staying healthy and a better fielding shortstop.  But I'd have to go with Jeter if I wanted to build a team.  He has a better stick, a good leader and just has that intangible of knowing how to win.  I know he's been surrounded with a lot of Clydesdales and inflated payroll during his career. But say what you want the guys has more rings and is as clutch as they come.  But hey what do I know?

Enoughs a Enough with this Tiki Barber Nonsense

 

 Let me preface this with I'm in no way a Tiki Barber basher.  I actually was a big fan of his "Barber Shop" Sirius show he did with his brother on Sirius Radio.  I know in last few years as the Giants tailback he put up big numbers and was carrying that team.  But my question is who anointed him the Grand Spokesman to all that happens good and bad with the Giants.  I'm in no way a Giants fan but the article I saw the other day up here "Tiki OKs Strahan's absence" was the final straw.  Come on now!!!!  Why thank you Tiki I feel better knowing this!!!  To put it bluntly "Who the hell cares if he blesses it or not".  I'm really getting sick of these FORMER players taking pot shots from the Broadcast Booth.  Your out of the "line of fire" by choice now sit back put up that big "Kool Aid Smile", nod your head and analyze TODAY'S games. Sorry to tell you this but your yesterday's news!! I'll admit when he called out Michael Irvin and Tom "My Time has passed on the Air" Jackson for commenting on his midseason retirement announcement was great and needed to say the least. But yet HE still has constant criticism and bashing of former teamates which is TASTELESS and HIPPOCRITICAL in my unvalued opinion. These are the same guys who at some time put their butts on the line for your efforts that helped further your AFTER FOOTBALL career.  I'm in no way a Eli Manning apologist or a remote fan of Coughlin and his archaic way of Coaching but come on now.  Eli's going through a growth process as a player plain and simple. If he pans out to be a good so be it.   If I remember correctly Tiki a few years ago you were a player who almost fumbled his way out the league.  If not for Coughlin helping correct his ball carrying the only thing he may have been carrying in the latter part of his career was a dam clipboard.  It's nice to see a former player move on and do something besides getting their head bashed in every Sunday but "Stay in your lane" and don't be a hippocrate as stated earlier you had your own issues on the field to work through.  This guys becoming as much a Narcissist as Terrell Owens.  Personally I find Keyshawn Johnson a much better analyst, he's as well spoken and manages to come off a lot more genuine than Tiki "Please Hold onto the ball" Barber. I'm tired of guys like Barber and Bettis throwing former teamates under the bus(No Pun Intended) like a "Sorprano Mobland Snitch" to further their career.  But hey what do I know right? 

LOVIE SMITH'S STUBBORNESS WILL KILL THE BEARS!!!!

 

Let me first say I'm a fan of Lovie Smith and feel in most ways he's an underappreciated coach even with his great defensive players carrying the team.  But I fail to understand his logic with Rex Grossman.  Not that Griese in any way is the 2nd coming of Tom Brady but he would've been a much better option Sunday for the Bears.  Grossman continues to display the same lack of poise, decision making and his height continues to be a detriment to him finding passing lanes.  The Bears we're clearly in the game against San Diego, but with Grossman's bad play the Chargers focused on the run showing little to no respect for Grossman's passing game.  Don't get me wrong the fumbling of the running backs did not help the situation in the least.  Yet another thing I found amazing Lovie was quick to pull Benson from the game after a fumble but once again stuck with Rex to the very end. I honestly believe half of his reasoning is to not let the media dictate his starting QB and show this cavalier loyalty to an obvious inferior player.  The Bears not making a move for David Carr in the off season is going to in my opinion prove a missed option.  The window of opportunity in this league is so small as they will certainly lose Lance Briggs this offseason and maybe a few others. Make a move now Lovie!!  I hope the Bears personnel take a long look at Byron Leftwich as an option.  Kyle Orton is a decent 3rd string qb but in my opinion possesses inferior arm strength to be truly effective at this level and is expendible.  The NFC is very weak divison and the Bears may coast to the Super Bowl on defense alone.  But to me it's like driving a car with your feet yeah you can do it, but why make things harder than they have to be.  Get Griese in and if he can't get the Offense rolling give Leftwich a chance.  I know he lacks mobility and his windup is a detriment but honestly can he do any worse than "WHAT'S NEXT REX". I'm sure he can at least hold onto the ball and take a snap.  P.S. Getting rid of Thomas Jones will prove to be a  very bad decision as well.  At least you didn't have to worry about him holding onto the ball. That's just "FOOTBALL 101".

The NBA contracts should mirror the NFL's

For years I would always talk smack about the NFL's contract structure. How it was so one-sided for the owners, where they could basically get rid of you after a few years contract or not and all you really kept was your signing bonus and part of your salary. I felt it was unfair to players especially in such a brutal sport like Football where they risk permanent injury on a weekly basis. But over the years my views have changed. With the way some athletes today sandbag it after signing a big contract or nurse an injury I'm all for the NFL's contract agreements in regards to the NBA. A perfect example is former 76er "Chris Webber" how that guy looks at himself in the mirror making 20 million a year with what he contributes is beyond me. The guy was flat out stealing especially his time in Philly!!! (I guess he has 20 million reasons that help him though) No wonder teams are so bad for so long, you reward a promising talent and he either through "Sandbagging" or injury, his once great skills have eroded and now you are in salary cap hell. Can you say New York Knicks who are paying 20 million a year to Alan Houston and the Sixers who I believe are still paying Jamal Mashburn 10 million for this year of which neither is playing anymore. And last I saw both of these guys they are both commentating for ESPN and still getting paychecks at full value. I know teams should be held accountable for poor personnel moves but if guys are no longer productive a team should have some measure to recoup some of their loses and remain competitive. At the risk of losing salary players would take the off season more seriously and come into camp in shape and less likely to get injured. The Knicks are by far the poorest example of Personnel Moves (with Danny Ainge pulling up a strong second) who are still paying Jalen Rose 16 + million per while he is playing for the Suns. The way they're going the should make the playoffs by 2010 with a team salary of twice that of the current NBA salary cap. Unreal!!! To sum it up, I'm all for if you "play we pay". You want to sandbag it you can keep your signing bonus and a percentage of your salary but your outta here and we can recoup some of your money against our cap and remain competitive. This is probably the only example of where I'm for management and not the Employees. Just my thoughts these are of course always up for rebuttal.