I don't know how many people caught Brett Favre's post game interview last night after he and the Packers lost to the NY Giants? It seemed that Favre was still in shock after Eli Manning and the Giants outplayed the Pack and Mr. Favre.
Shock? Why should Favre have been in shock? The Giants had been playing tough NFL football for the last month, and beating teams on the road to boot. Upsets happen. They have occured all throughout sports history, and will continue to happen.
However, what was interesting during Favre's interview was not so much the disappointment in losing, but he almost seemed to indicate that he was believing in destiny, or fate. The way Favre played in the latter part of the game, and reacted afterwards, one got the feeling that Farve forgot that he had to earn the right to go to Arizona.
"Everybody kept telling me, Just Believe, " Farve naively said. "There was always this feeling that things were going to fall into place...even in this game when the score was going back and forth."
Has anyone told Mr. Farve that God helps those who help themselves? And that's just it; Farve did not help himself or his team when it mattered. Late in the fourth quarter, and then again in overtime Farve threw critical interceptions that should not have been throw in the first place. Yet, Favre reacted like the Football Gods had promised him a victory march to Arizona.
The Giants's kicker, Lawrence Tynes was begging the ghosts of Lambaugh Field to inspire the beloved Pack to victory. However, with the way Farve played he may have scared those ghosts off for another forty years.
Based on Favre's late interceptions, is it any wonder that he is the career leader in picks? Sadly, yesterday's performance conjures up memories of a six interception playoff game against the Rams back in 2001. Three of those picks were returned for touchdowns, setting yet another reluctant record.
All season long the NFL media has been treating Farve like there never was a Joe Montana, or a Johnny Unitas. Tom Brady at last check was starring for an undefeated team, on his way to a fourth Super Bowl. Yet Brady, whom many experts say is the best QB in the game, has not gotten near the attention that the NFL only to happy to, delivers towards Farve.
Favre has been an exciting quarterback, and he has had more success than most other QBs who ever played the game. Whether he decides to play another year or retire, remains to be seen. However, if Favre does continue to play somebody better tell him that the only ticket to Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa will have to be earned, and then with some quite alright praying.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Not Convincing Enough, Roger
Tonight on 60 Minutes, Mike Wallace intervied Roger Clemens regarding his alleged steroid use which was mentioned in the George Mitchell Report. This was Clemens's chance to convince the public that he never took the performance enhancing drugs. Unfortunately, Clemens came off looking like a man down to his last strike in the World Series.
In the Mitchell Report, released less than 30 days ago, Clemens's trianer Brain McNamee claims that he injected Clemens with steroids between 16 - 20 times during 1998, and again in 2000 and 2001.
Clemens looked nervous during the interview, and never exhibited the true convictions of an innocent man. When repeatedly asked by Wallace if his trainer, Brian McNamee ever injected him with steroids, as mentioned in the report, Clemens weakly used the words, "never happened."
When told that his good friend Andy Petitt, also mentioned in the report, had admitted to taking human growth hormones, Clemens also denied having knowledge of Petitt's illegal activities. Petitt can expect to be hammered for media responses now, thanks to Clemens statements.
Asked whether he would take a lie detector test, Clemens responded, "Yeah, I don't know if they're good or bad."
When asked if he will sue McNamee, Clemens said, Should I sue? Well, yeah, let me exhaust -- let me, let me just spend," pontificating as if he were peeling off bills.
"Let me keep spending. But I'm going to explore what I can do, and then I want to see if it's going to be worth it, worth all the headache."
Wallace challenged Clemens by suggesting that perhaps he started taking steroids was so he could continue pitching for the money, and the glory. Clemens then claimed he never played the game for things like those.
Perhaps the most unconvincing that Clemens looked was when he said, "if I have these needles and these steroids and all these drugs, where did I get 'em?" he said. "Where is the person out there [who] gave 'em to me? Please, please come forward."
Well Roger, if there actually was another person involved and if they had something to gain, I'm sure they would come forward.
Not only did Roger Clemens make an unconvincing testament to the alleged steroid accusations about himself, but he seems to have prolonged the battle with Brain McNamee. Both men have agreed to meet with the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
In light of the interview, there seems to be no easy way out for Clemens. This episode is not going to die down anytime soon, and the longer it continues the more Clemens will deny the accusations. Unfortunately, it appears he will keep denying past the elligibility times for his chance to be voted into the Hall of Fame.
In the Mitchell Report, released less than 30 days ago, Clemens's trianer Brain McNamee claims that he injected Clemens with steroids between 16 - 20 times during 1998, and again in 2000 and 2001.
Clemens looked nervous during the interview, and never exhibited the true convictions of an innocent man. When repeatedly asked by Wallace if his trainer, Brian McNamee ever injected him with steroids, as mentioned in the report, Clemens weakly used the words, "never happened."
When told that his good friend Andy Petitt, also mentioned in the report, had admitted to taking human growth hormones, Clemens also denied having knowledge of Petitt's illegal activities. Petitt can expect to be hammered for media responses now, thanks to Clemens statements.
Asked whether he would take a lie detector test, Clemens responded, "Yeah, I don't know if they're good or bad."
When asked if he will sue McNamee, Clemens said, Should I sue? Well, yeah, let me exhaust -- let me, let me just spend," pontificating as if he were peeling off bills.
"Let me keep spending. But I'm going to explore what I can do, and then I want to see if it's going to be worth it, worth all the headache."
Wallace challenged Clemens by suggesting that perhaps he started taking steroids was so he could continue pitching for the money, and the glory. Clemens then claimed he never played the game for things like those.
Perhaps the most unconvincing that Clemens looked was when he said, "if I have these needles and these steroids and all these drugs, where did I get 'em?" he said. "Where is the person out there [who] gave 'em to me? Please, please come forward."
Well Roger, if there actually was another person involved and if they had something to gain, I'm sure they would come forward.
Not only did Roger Clemens make an unconvincing testament to the alleged steroid accusations about himself, but he seems to have prolonged the battle with Brain McNamee. Both men have agreed to meet with the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
In light of the interview, there seems to be no easy way out for Clemens. This episode is not going to die down anytime soon, and the longer it continues the more Clemens will deny the accusations. Unfortunately, it appears he will keep denying past the elligibility times for his chance to be voted into the Hall of Fame.
Vick Possibly Getting Out Early
Yesterday, Yahoo Sports reported that Michael Vick may be allowed to leave prison early after fulfilling a drug rehab program. According to the report, Vick who was sentenced to 23 months in prison for illegal dog fighting, could possibly be released as early as February or March of 2003.
Based on the program, if an inmate serves 12 months in the program, the original sentence can be reduced up to a year. Vick has not yet began the program, but if he enters the program anytime soon, the quarterback conceivably could be back playing in the NFL for the 2009 season. For further details, follow the link below.
http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/01/05/vicks-prison-sentence-may-be-shortened/?ncid=NWS00010000000001
Based on the program, if an inmate serves 12 months in the program, the original sentence can be reduced up to a year. Vick has not yet began the program, but if he enters the program anytime soon, the quarterback conceivably could be back playing in the NFL for the 2009 season. For further details, follow the link below.
http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/01/05/vicks-prison-sentence-may-be-shortened/?ncid=NWS00010000000001
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Give Nolan One More Year
Now that the 49ers dreadful season is over, the Yorks and the rest of us can concentrate on the most important aspect for the teams's future. Namely, should the 49ers allow Mike Nolan to remain as head coach for 2008?
Coming into the 2007 season, there were a lot of expectations after a solid finish to the 2006 season. The 49ers and Alex Smith both seemed to make important strides in their progress at the end of the season. In addition, with the extra salary cap money the 49ers went out and signed defensive back Nate Clemonts; plus, as it turned out, they drafted the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, in Patrick Willis.
Obviously, in light of their horrible 5-11 season the 49ers and Nolan fell far short of hopeful expectations. Even worst, Nolan believing that the 49ers would be a playoff team this year traded the team's number one draft pick to New England.
Since we live in an era of owner impatience, and great demands to be an instant winner, many professional sports teams don't allow much room for setbacks. One need look no further than Baltimore for a perfect example. After compiling an 80-64 record over nine seasons including a Super Bowl win in 2001 along three other playoff appearances, the Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti fired Coach Bill Billick after a 5-11 season. This coming after last season's 13-3 record. Thank you for your past contributions, but what have you done for me lately?
All important success and winning is top priority, but continuity also has its own credible place in sports. The 49ers defense has continually become better under Nolan's direction. However since the team has employed three different offensive coordinators in the last three seasons, we have not seen this same continuous progression with young quarterback Alex Smith. Nolan was forced at the last minute to ellivate QB coach Jim Hostler to offensive coordinator after Norv Turner left for San Diego. We all know the results of not only Smith's season, but also of the entire offense. Shaun Hill, not withstanding.
Nolan does need to take responsibility for the ineptitude of the offense, but what he is really guilty of is not allowing Shaun Hill to play much earlier in the season. Even when Smith went down for the season, the 49ers still could have made a playoff run but they were never going to accomplish the task with Trent Dilfer at QB. However, Nolan is a young coach and I don't know if any other young coach would have allowed an unproven QB such as Hill to lead this team.
The 49ers need to make some player movements during the offseason. They need to rebuild their offensive line and bring in some new wide receivers. The team needs to resign Shaun Hill, or bring in an established free agent QB to compete with Smith and Hill. Using one of their late draft picks on a QB would not be a bad idea either, for the future.
However, unless the Yorks can persuade Mike Martz, Bill Billick, or another offensive expert to become headcoach, then they should let Nolan return & restructure his offensive coaches in order for the team to compete next year. The defense should remain solid, and with some key moves on offense the team could compter next year in the weak western division.
Coming into the 2007 season, there were a lot of expectations after a solid finish to the 2006 season. The 49ers and Alex Smith both seemed to make important strides in their progress at the end of the season. In addition, with the extra salary cap money the 49ers went out and signed defensive back Nate Clemonts; plus, as it turned out, they drafted the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, in Patrick Willis.
Obviously, in light of their horrible 5-11 season the 49ers and Nolan fell far short of hopeful expectations. Even worst, Nolan believing that the 49ers would be a playoff team this year traded the team's number one draft pick to New England.
Since we live in an era of owner impatience, and great demands to be an instant winner, many professional sports teams don't allow much room for setbacks. One need look no further than Baltimore for a perfect example. After compiling an 80-64 record over nine seasons including a Super Bowl win in 2001 along three other playoff appearances, the Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti fired Coach Bill Billick after a 5-11 season. This coming after last season's 13-3 record. Thank you for your past contributions, but what have you done for me lately?
All important success and winning is top priority, but continuity also has its own credible place in sports. The 49ers defense has continually become better under Nolan's direction. However since the team has employed three different offensive coordinators in the last three seasons, we have not seen this same continuous progression with young quarterback Alex Smith. Nolan was forced at the last minute to ellivate QB coach Jim Hostler to offensive coordinator after Norv Turner left for San Diego. We all know the results of not only Smith's season, but also of the entire offense. Shaun Hill, not withstanding.
Nolan does need to take responsibility for the ineptitude of the offense, but what he is really guilty of is not allowing Shaun Hill to play much earlier in the season. Even when Smith went down for the season, the 49ers still could have made a playoff run but they were never going to accomplish the task with Trent Dilfer at QB. However, Nolan is a young coach and I don't know if any other young coach would have allowed an unproven QB such as Hill to lead this team.
The 49ers need to make some player movements during the offseason. They need to rebuild their offensive line and bring in some new wide receivers. The team needs to resign Shaun Hill, or bring in an established free agent QB to compete with Smith and Hill. Using one of their late draft picks on a QB would not be a bad idea either, for the future.
However, unless the Yorks can persuade Mike Martz, Bill Billick, or another offensive expert to become headcoach, then they should let Nolan return & restructure his offensive coaches in order for the team to compete next year. The defense should remain solid, and with some key moves on offense the team could compter next year in the weak western division.
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