Survive the Offseason - Tips #2, #3, #4, #5

#2
Football History - Real
http://www.davesfootballblog.com has fascinating facts about football's origins.
He traces it back to China. (3/19/07 entry)

#3
Football History - Mine
I've been leafing through some of my old football trading cards from the '70s.



The Walter Payton rookie card is getting $175.00 bids on eBay,
whereas Phil Simms' rookie card is holding at .99 cents!

Hmm, I could spend the better part of the offseason tallying up imaginary auction money from my childhood hobby, or maybe I'll just tune into

#4 All the NFL Europe games (There are only 6 teams in the league) which are airing on NFL network starting April 14 and culminate with the World Bowl on June 23rd.

AND/OR

#5 : Three more new episodes of Friday Night Lights! (NBC Weds, 8pm)

Goings on in the plot: A high school coach keep the steroid use of one of his players a secret, QB Matt Saracen miraculouly gets his team to the state championship, and a beautiful single mom in her thirties succumbs quickly to the temptation of young Tim Riggins' physical charms.

Sure, it's hyped up drama, but there remains an emtional truth within this world. Wheelchair bound Herc never lets up on the tough love with Jason Street, the newly paralyzed star quaterback. Though Herc knows it would have been good for Jason's recovery to make the US Olympic Quad Rugby team, "It's a championship, not therapy."

Then there's the moment between the philandering Buddy Garrity and his sweet teenage daughter, Lyla, when Buddy solicits Lyla's help putting together a family photo album to try and win the forgiveness of his betrayed wife. Lyla refuses, saying "I don't want to take sides."

This reminded me quite a bit of my own experiences with my parents as they were splitting up. I couldn't give either of them everything I felt, and the crushed and frantic look that burned onto Buddy Garrity's face reminded me of my own father when he was afraid he was going to lose me, too.

So, what's that got to do with football? Hey, this is survial in the offseason, baby!

Following the Bouncing Players

Free Agency Takes Flight

The Dallas Cowboys cut Drew Bledsoe loose. I think that's the least they could do for him, but I don't get why they signed Brad Johnson. He's been in the league even longer than Bledsoe, and is coming off a terrible season!

I was also surprised to learn that the Bears traded away Thomas Jones to the Jets, when the running combination of Jones and Benson was such a key to their great season. But hey, even Super Bowl Champion Colts RB Dominic Rhodes is visiting the Bills this week.


Green Bay let Ahman Green go, and even though he's been their leading rusher for years, I think it was a good move. I hope Henderson stays, but they still need an explosive back, and they'd better grab a good one in the draft. This time, let's hope they find someone without such a tendency to fumble

Everyone made such a big stink about the building and melding a young offensive line to protect Sir Brett, but don't forget, without a MAJOR running game, Favre is going to be forced to throw way too often, and that's when the interceptions start flying, too.