Sport Chit Chat

So I’m assuming most of you have heard now that Brett Favre has now officially become a New York Jet and if you haven’t, you’ve been sleeping under a rock for the last 4 days. That or you received the email from achengy, telling me to move my ass on this story. Anyway, here it is. It took almost 20 hours from the time that Favre landed in Green Bay to this Thursday morning that the trade was finalized with the Packers and Jets. Here are the details of the trade, the Jets receive Favre for a conditional fourth round pick. The conditions revolve around the number of snaps Brett takes this season, at 50% - 3rd round pick, 70% - 2nd round pick, and 80% and the Jets make the Superbowl, a first round pick. Favre still gets a base $12 million salary. Here is the kicker though, if Favre gets traded to any team in the NFC North, the Jets trade away 3 first round picks to the Packers. They really don’t want him going to division rival.

I don’t know who benefitted from this draft. I know most of you are thinking the Jets got a great deal, they just traded for one of the most electrifying and talented QB’s that the game has ever seen, but let’s be honest, Brett hasn’t had to learn a new system since 1992, he’s 38 years old and his only deep threat is Lavernius Coles. He was spotted on the sidelines with the playbook during New Yorks exhibition game against the Browns. The offense isn’t much different, especially with Thomas Jones at RB, his style is very similar to Ryan Grant, and Lavernius still has some speed but there isn’t really any other option except for Jerricho Cotchery playing opposite Coles. Cotchery had 2 TD’s in 07. He’s got a lot of work to do, adjusting to the rampant style of the AFC, a much more fierce style of defense (most teams running a 4-3, instead of the NFC traditional 3-4) and that means an extra D-Linemen coming over the blind side. Let’s also look into the fact that now the AFC has probably 3 of the top 5 QB’s in the league, Manning, Brady and Favre, and has now become that much more competitive. We all remember Brett being able to make plays from nothing, but now he’s got to make plays with the likes of Shawn Merrimen, Julius Peppers and Mario Williams breathing down his throat. I’m not saying he can’t do it, i’m just saying that it’ll be a sight to see.

As for the Packers, I’m proud of them for sticking true to their word. Then again, i’m not Mike McCarthy who just traded away a HOF QB to the AFC and might lose my job if Aaron Rodgers wets the bed this season. I’ve heard both sides of this story, keep Brett, the man bleeds cheese and then ship the old timer out, his time has come and gone. From a Packers perspective, i think by staying true and strong to keep Rodgers as their #1 QB, they show confidence in him and that will trickle down to the rest of the team. He’s paid his dues, let the man play. I’m confident the Packers will be just as successful as last season with Rodgers under centre. He’s been backing up Favre for almost 3 years, and if Tom Brady can win 3 championships shadowing Drew Bledsoe, then Aaron Rodgers is the next Steve Young. If you’re wondering what happened to Chad Pennington, well he’s out of New York, and is waiting to get picked up. He got the boot and eventually whatever team he get’s picked up by will boot their current quarterback. There are talks that the Vikings and the Bucs are interested having lost the battle to secure Favre as their star. Pennington is a definite steal especially having rebuilt the Jets over the last couple of seasons. He is definitely on his way up in the QB rankings in my book.

I wouldn’t go as far as to say the Jets have just become a Superbowl contender, but QB’s, as prolific as Brett is, are hard to come by. I’m going to predict the Jets go 8-8 this season under the gun slingger Favre, a very optimistic record considering they went 4-12 in 07. Favre will finish with 25 - 28 TD’s and a QB Rating of 115. I’m throwing that rating out there, but it could be close. As for the Packers, look for them to play Dallas in the NFC championship game. Brett, you got your wish, you get to play football again. Green Bay, some of you are deeply saddened by this and others might be cheering to hear that your team has heart, but that heart is now in the hands of Aaron Rodgers. As Preseason match ups have gotten under way I will have my season predictions before week 4 of exhibition.

On a side note, EA Sports has decided to keep the current cover for Madden 09 of Brett Favre as a Packer. Must be because they’ve already gone to print.

Leaving on a Jet plane,
QUANSTRONG

Hello sport chit chatters. I’m breaking away from my usual fantasy sports talk to address the growing Brett Favre debacle that is unfolding in Green Bay right now. My man QUANSTRONG is on hiatus but we’ve been in corresspondence so I’m stepping in, giving my opinion and STRONGS, so here it is.

Brett and The Packers, what are yea doing? I’m an avid Packer fan so perhaps I have some bias but one of the sides is going to have to give sooner than later. First The Packers wanted nothing to do with Favre and don’t want him but won’t grant his release. Then he’s allowed to report to camp and NOW, the Pack have given The New York Jets the chance to talk to Brett. This clearly sends waves through the NFL, The Jets & The Packers. My man QUANSTRONG has nothing but unkind words for Mike McCarthy and his “weak move.” He is showing no confidence in his “boy” Rogers. If Aaron was truly the QB of The Packers future they need to take this time to make that the case and banish Favre and release him so he can sign with another team. QUANSTRONG raises the point that tt this point, even if Roger ends up being the starter come the season, his confidence is not what it could have been and the team dynamics and chemistry will be awkwars. Perhaps the the Packers dressing room has divided into pro and anti-Favre camps? What this could potentially do to a solid Packer team remains to be seen and could be unfortunate. I really wish Favre never retired and just played again. Clearly the Pack will be better with him than without but this media circus is getting tiresome.

As for The Jets, QUANSTRONG - and thus I - believe that this could lift the Jets up to the next plateau and make them a solid contender for the upcoming season. Bob Glauber also agrees saying this could help a Jet franchise looking for some good news. Brett would finally give the Jets a consistent presence at QB and a would work great with WR Lavernius Coles as a deep threat, similar to how Favre and Jennings worked last season. This move could be huge for NY and could move them from pretender to contender. Of course, this is all speculation at this point but it’s fun to ponder is it not…

-Maxmillien & QUANSTRONG

Okay, I’ve had enough of the Packers and Brett Favre. As I’m doing my research to try and bring the latest and greatest happening around the NFL, all I can stumble upon worth reading about is Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers. Let’s just settle this once and for all. Yes, Brett Favre is one of the most prolific quarterbacks of all time. He holds multiple records and plays with a charasmatic energy uneasily duplicated in this league. He actually looks like he’s having fun while playing. But let’s be honest, the NFL is a business. And Brett is not a business man, he’s a hunter turned quarterback. I’ll be honest, Brett has only done what seemed logical for him, he missed football and wants to un-retire. But his former team is content with their QB situation and no longer require his services but are willing to give him a supporting role. Brett says no way am i playing second fiddle, enter ridiculousness that is occuring right now in the league. And what has happened as of late?

Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers are at a standoff and the team that loved him so much, now see’s him as a thorn in their side. I understand the “itch” of wanting to play but Brett, go scratch that some where else. I mean the off-season is a time for coaches to rebuild, tweak and modify their teams to give them the best chance of playing in February. The Packers are contenders, don’t get me wrong, but with all this negative hype surrounding the team, i can only imagine what this is doing to Mike McCarthy’s Off-season plans. All i’m saying, is that enough is enough. I wish the Packers the best of luck this off-season and hope that this ordeal concludes sometime soon.

Let’em play Brett, Let’em Play,
QUANSTRONG

Am i the only one who is outraged, disappointed, let down, and just plain disappointed in Brett Favre’s request to be released?  Before we get to that though, lets look at how this situation even got to this point.

On March 6th, Brett held a tearful, and emotional retirement conference.  He had a great season, and he probably could’ve played at least one more year, but he felt it was time to retire.  This was after months of deliberation, and it seemed like he really was done.  But, being who he is when asked if he would stay retired for good, he said he was 99% sure, not 100% which means this probably could’ve been seem coming. 

A few weeks after the news conference, Ted Thompson (Pack GM) and Mike McCarthy (Head Coach) flew down to see Brett and discuss a possible return with him.  They wanted him back in Green Bay.  They knew he could still play football, and I think he did too.  They asked him to come back, and you know what he said? He said no.

Fast forward to now.  Brett Favre all of a sudden wants to play again.  So what does he do?  He asks in writing for his release.  This is a stab in the heart of the entire city of Green Bay, if not the whole state of Winsconsin.  Brett is so loved in Green Bay that he even has his own Brett Favre Christmas Carol.  Brett Favre could run for mayor in that town and win without so much as a single advertisement.  The man is adored, whether its the carboard cutouts in schools, or the statues that bear his likeness.  Why does he want to leave then? 

Heres the most depressing part for Packers fans.  The two teams Brett is best suited for are… (drum roll please)  Minnesota and Chicago!  Minnesota is a legit super bowl contender with him, and Chicago could argue that they would be too.  Imagine that,  Brett Favre in purple and gold for the Monday Night Football opener?  I think I’d cry along with the city of Green Bay. 

Now here it goes, as a diehard Packer fan who watched every game last year and who thinks Favre is the best quarterback ever (Brady can kiss my ass),  I’m pleading with Brett to please come to his senses.  Accept the offer as Rodgers’ backup.  Odds are, Rodgers will falter at some point, and then we’ll see Brett again.  But please, please Brett don’t leave Green Bay.  Some things are just not meant to be seperated.