Brett Favre is great, and the NFL should thank him many times over for making his return with the Vikings. With all the great games that will be on TV throughout the season, Favre just made some of them alot better.
Combining Favre and Adrian Peterson could give the Vikings one of the league's top scoring offenses to go along with one of the top defensive teams in pro football. Think about some of the games that Favre just made better. The Vikings only have three primetime games all year, with Favre, they could easily have three or four more.
October 25 at Pittsburgh. The game features possibly two Hall of Fame QB's in Favre and Roethlisberger, two of the league's top defenses, and Favre will be facing the defending Super Bowl champions for the first time since the 2005 season.
The very next week, the Vikings travel to Lambeau to finish out the season series with the Packers. This could possibly be the most interesting game of the NFL season. The Packers will be much improved and their high-powered offense will be tested against the Viking defense. It will also be interesting to see how the Packer fans receive Favre as the longtime Packer makes his first return to Lambeau since the gut-wrenching 2007 playoff loss. It will also mark the first time Favre and Aaron Rodgers have met in competition.
December 6th, the Vikings head out west to play the defending NFC champion Arizona Cardinals. With Favre, this game will feature two 2008 playoff teams, and two of the most high-powered offenses in football. The Vikings also manhandled the Cardinals in Phoenix late last season and Arizona should be looking to exact revenge.
January 3rd could prove to be the most pivotal game of the 2009 season as the Vikings host the New York Giants in the final game of the regular season. The Giants dominated the regular season last year and are coming off a dissapointing home playoff loss to the Eagles, the Vikings were defeated by the same Philadelphia team a week earlier. It will mark the first meeting between Favre and the Giants since New York ended Favre's magical 2007 season with an overtime victory at Lambeau. The game could also be for home field throughout the playoffs and supremacy in the NFC.
Brett Favre may cause alot of controversy and has the tendency to hold teams hostage throughout the summer months with his career plans, but TV executives should be sending him their thank-you cards anytime now. With the flexible schedule now in place, more than one of the Vikings' late season games could be moved to primetime, which means bigger TV audiences and more money.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Panthers
It's only halftime, and I know it's just a preseason game, but the Panthers were utterly pathetic in the first half. DeAngelo was a bit of a bright spot and had some decent runs, but it looked like Jake didn't have his timing down at all. Suzy Kolber reported before the game that Delhomme was working on fundamental things like footwork and holding onto the ball with two hands. What? The guy is 35, shouldn't he be working on timing and not turning the ball over instead of holding onto the ball the right way?
Does the offense know the objective is to score instead of turn the ball over and set the other team up for points? I don't think they do. Four fumbles and one interception lost in one half of football?
The defense has looked very vanilla and just plain boring. The tackling was very poor, our No. 1 defensive back Chris Gamble got run over on the Giants' first touchdown and Danny Ware drug Hillee Taylor into the end zone for the second Giants touchdown. I know it's just preseason and I'm probably just getting riled up for football because I haven't seen any since February but I really hope John Fox doesn't break camp early this year.
Does the offense know the objective is to score instead of turn the ball over and set the other team up for points? I don't think they do. Four fumbles and one interception lost in one half of football?
The defense has looked very vanilla and just plain boring. The tackling was very poor, our No. 1 defensive back Chris Gamble got run over on the Giants' first touchdown and Danny Ware drug Hillee Taylor into the end zone for the second Giants touchdown. I know it's just preseason and I'm probably just getting riled up for football because I haven't seen any since February but I really hope John Fox doesn't break camp early this year.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
The Lions finally won a game?
Did I see that correctly? I think the box score on nfl.com said the Lions beat the Falcons 27-26 on Saturday night. Must have been a glitch or something.
Anyway, this has to be positive news for Lions fans even though it was just a preseason game. The Falcons were a playoff team last year and lets face it, the cowardly Lions have lost 23 of their last 24 regular season games. The Lions' have won only one game since week 9 of the 2007 season; the Patriots meanwhile, have won 20.
The Lions went undefeated in the preseason last year and then, as we all know, became the first team in NFL history to lose every regular season game. Let's not get ahead of ourselves and say that the Lions will go undefeated and complete the most improbable turnaround in NFL history but at least Lions fans got to see a win.
Anyway, this has to be positive news for Lions fans even though it was just a preseason game. The Falcons were a playoff team last year and lets face it, the cowardly Lions have lost 23 of their last 24 regular season games. The Lions' have won only one game since week 9 of the 2007 season; the Patriots meanwhile, have won 20.
The Lions went undefeated in the preseason last year and then, as we all know, became the first team in NFL history to lose every regular season game. Let's not get ahead of ourselves and say that the Lions will go undefeated and complete the most improbable turnaround in NFL history but at least Lions fans got to see a win.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Why Tiger won't win the PGA tommorow
Tiger Woods is almost always a lock to win major championships when he shares or holds the lead going into the final round. But never has he been in this position before. The man that stands two shots behind him has recently been one of the best at coming from behind in majors.
Padraig Harrington stands at a three-round total of six-under-par, 210. In recent years, this has been the position Harrington thrives in.
In his 2007 Open Championship win over Sergio Garcia, he was six shots behind the Spaniard entering the final day but fired a final round 67 to get into a playoff and win his first major championship.
In the 2008 Open Championship, Harrington was two shots off Greg Norman's lead entering the final day but shot a final round 69 to capture his second straight Open Championship. Less than four weeks later at Oakland Hills in the PGA, Harrington shot 66-66 on the weekend to overcome a three-shot final day deficit to defeat Sergio Garcia and Ben Curtis by two.
If not for a gaffe by a European Tour rules official last week, Harrington might have won the Bridgestone Invitational but made a disastrous triple-bogey eight on the sixteenth hole after he was put on the clock for slow play. Harrington, who was tied for the lead at the time, ended up losing by four to Woods.
Harrington is one of the more accomplished players in the sport and has no problems with going low on the final day of a major. As long as Harrington doesn't get put on the clock during the final round, I see no reason why he shouldn't be able to overtake Tiger Woods for his second consecutive PGA title.
Padraig Harrington stands at a three-round total of six-under-par, 210. In recent years, this has been the position Harrington thrives in.
In his 2007 Open Championship win over Sergio Garcia, he was six shots behind the Spaniard entering the final day but fired a final round 67 to get into a playoff and win his first major championship.
In the 2008 Open Championship, Harrington was two shots off Greg Norman's lead entering the final day but shot a final round 69 to capture his second straight Open Championship. Less than four weeks later at Oakland Hills in the PGA, Harrington shot 66-66 on the weekend to overcome a three-shot final day deficit to defeat Sergio Garcia and Ben Curtis by two.
If not for a gaffe by a European Tour rules official last week, Harrington might have won the Bridgestone Invitational but made a disastrous triple-bogey eight on the sixteenth hole after he was put on the clock for slow play. Harrington, who was tied for the lead at the time, ended up losing by four to Woods.
Harrington is one of the more accomplished players in the sport and has no problems with going low on the final day of a major. As long as Harrington doesn't get put on the clock during the final round, I see no reason why he shouldn't be able to overtake Tiger Woods for his second consecutive PGA title.
Michael Phelps
Why am I not surprised to see Michael Phelps' name in the news again. This time, Phelps was involved in a car accident Thursday night in Baltimore. Another car ran a red light, causing the accident and Phelps was not found to be at fault. He was however cited for driving with an expired, out-of-state license and told police he had a beer about an hour and 15 minutes prior to the accident.
I know the accident wasn't his fault, but this guy needs to get his act together and stay out of trouble. This isn't his first run-in with the law. Earlier this year, USA swimming suspended Phelps after a British tabloid published a photo of him using a marijuana pipe. Phelps was also arrested in 2004 following the Athens Olympics for drunken driving and was sentenced to 18 months' probation
"Getting into a car after anything to drink is wrong. It's dangerous and unacceptable," Phelps said after his 2004 arrest.
If Phelps wants to salvage whats left of his image, he needs to keep his name out of the news for as long as possible unless it's swimming related. Olympic champions need to set good examples, not bad ones.
I know the accident wasn't his fault, but this guy needs to get his act together and stay out of trouble. This isn't his first run-in with the law. Earlier this year, USA swimming suspended Phelps after a British tabloid published a photo of him using a marijuana pipe. Phelps was also arrested in 2004 following the Athens Olympics for drunken driving and was sentenced to 18 months' probation
"Getting into a car after anything to drink is wrong. It's dangerous and unacceptable," Phelps said after his 2004 arrest.
If Phelps wants to salvage whats left of his image, he needs to keep his name out of the news for as long as possible unless it's swimming related. Olympic champions need to set good examples, not bad ones.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Vick to the Panthers?
Rumors have been circulating about the Carolina Panthers as a possible suitor to free-agent QB Michael Vick. Vick's personal mentor and former Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy said that he believes Vick's return to the NFL is not a question of "if" but "when".
Dungy said that he believes a deal is imminent with a team by the end of this week. Vick's agent Joel Segal also said. "there are a lot of teams interested" in signing his client. Dungy, who has been serving as Vick's personal advisor since his recent release from prison has fielded calls from various head coaches and has recommended Vick, saying that he is "a better person and very determined to come back and do well".
The Carolina Panthers have been a popular pick by many experts to be the team for Vick. The Panthers are coming off possibly the most dissapointing loss in team history aside from the Super Bowl. After a 12-4 regular season record and NFC South title, QB Jake Delhomme turned the ball over six times in a 33-13 divisional home playoff loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
The Panthers recently signed Delhomme to a lucrative 5-year extension, but the QB is reaching the golden years of his career at 34 and many experts have questions about his ability to take care of the ball with his aggressive style. Delhomme has the guts of a burglar and can often pull off the impossible, but in some cases, the "Brett Favre" style isn't always the most rewarding.
Delhomme will be the starting QB this year, but Vick would play a nice supporting role and could possibly serve as the starter down the road. Vick's running style could also prove to be a deadly combination with the Panthers' two-headed monster in the backfield with Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams.
The Panthers were one of the top running teams in the NFL last year and with Vick could have a deadly, ball-control offense with the ability to break open a big play. Vick also has a rocket for an arm and along with Steve Smith and DeAngelo Williams could give the Panthers one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL.
Dungy said that he believes a deal is imminent with a team by the end of this week. Vick's agent Joel Segal also said. "there are a lot of teams interested" in signing his client. Dungy, who has been serving as Vick's personal advisor since his recent release from prison has fielded calls from various head coaches and has recommended Vick, saying that he is "a better person and very determined to come back and do well".
The Carolina Panthers have been a popular pick by many experts to be the team for Vick. The Panthers are coming off possibly the most dissapointing loss in team history aside from the Super Bowl. After a 12-4 regular season record and NFC South title, QB Jake Delhomme turned the ball over six times in a 33-13 divisional home playoff loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
The Panthers recently signed Delhomme to a lucrative 5-year extension, but the QB is reaching the golden years of his career at 34 and many experts have questions about his ability to take care of the ball with his aggressive style. Delhomme has the guts of a burglar and can often pull off the impossible, but in some cases, the "Brett Favre" style isn't always the most rewarding.
Delhomme will be the starting QB this year, but Vick would play a nice supporting role and could possibly serve as the starter down the road. Vick's running style could also prove to be a deadly combination with the Panthers' two-headed monster in the backfield with Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams.
The Panthers were one of the top running teams in the NFL last year and with Vick could have a deadly, ball-control offense with the ability to break open a big play. Vick also has a rocket for an arm and along with Steve Smith and DeAngelo Williams could give the Panthers one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL.
Monday, August 10, 2009
College Player Watch: Brandon Spikes
Simply put, this guy could be the best defensive player in the SEC in 2009. The 6-3, 258 lb. linebacker cemented Florida's defense in 2008 and played a key role in the Gators winning their 2nd BCS Championship in three years.
Spikes has appeared in 35 games during his three year tenure at Florida with 27 starts and is the leader of the Gator defense. Has accumulated 239 total tackles (142 solo) in his first three years in Gainseville and was a team captain in 2008. Spikes has also recovered three fumbles, has four interceptions returned for 93 yards and two touchdowns.
Spikes' best season came in 2007 when he had 131 total tackles, 16 for a loss, and 1.5 quarterback sacks. Was a four-year starter at linebacker and defensive end at Crest Senior High School in Shelby, N.C. and was listed as the top college prospect in N.C. by Rivals.com in 2006.
In 2007, Spikes started all 13 games at linebacker and led the team in tackles 10 times. Was a First-Team All-SEC selection by the league's coaches and the AP and was selected as Second-Team All-SEC by Rivals.com.
In 2008, Spikes was a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and was a semifinalist for the Lombardi Award and Chuck Bednarik Award. He was also one of only five players with two interception returns for touchdowns.
Look for Spikes to solidify the middle of the Gators' defense at middle linebacker with his sheer power and experience and make the Gators one of the most powerful teams in the country.
Spikes has appeared in 35 games during his three year tenure at Florida with 27 starts and is the leader of the Gator defense. Has accumulated 239 total tackles (142 solo) in his first three years in Gainseville and was a team captain in 2008. Spikes has also recovered three fumbles, has four interceptions returned for 93 yards and two touchdowns.
Spikes' best season came in 2007 when he had 131 total tackles, 16 for a loss, and 1.5 quarterback sacks. Was a four-year starter at linebacker and defensive end at Crest Senior High School in Shelby, N.C. and was listed as the top college prospect in N.C. by Rivals.com in 2006.
In 2007, Spikes started all 13 games at linebacker and led the team in tackles 10 times. Was a First-Team All-SEC selection by the league's coaches and the AP and was selected as Second-Team All-SEC by Rivals.com.
In 2008, Spikes was a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and was a semifinalist for the Lombardi Award and Chuck Bednarik Award. He was also one of only five players with two interception returns for touchdowns.
Look for Spikes to solidify the middle of the Gators' defense at middle linebacker with his sheer power and experience and make the Gators one of the most powerful teams in the country.
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