What is Well Deserved

It's no secret I'm a Brett Fa- I mean, Packers fan, and am simply giddy with the incredible start they've had this year.

This Sunday, the Packers are an UNDEFEATED 4-0 (along with the Colts, Cowboys, & Patriots) and are matched up with the Bears. Last season, Chicago blew the Packers completely out of the water by a score of 26 to Nothing. That was so early last season that there was no such thing as "Bad Rex."

Favre has now completely proven himself (as if he hadn't already), and we can tell by the fanfare and the tears of joy that a big part of why he came back was to break some RECORDS!!!

17th Season. Here is a man who has lived out his lifelong passion at the highest level. Yes, it can be done, but most of us aren't willing to make the sacrifices to get there.

Does that mean that anything else is useless? When you're asking yourself "How much can I get away with NOT doing," you find yourself looking forward to the escape of a Sunday afternoon, with your favorite sports hero pin-up on center stage. I look at him for three hours, and like most of the rest of us, football fans or not, will put off looking at myself in the mirror until the dreaded "Monday Morning."

Week 1 - Guts and Glory

Chad Pennington guts it out in Week 1 and comes back after a seemingly crippling injury!

Brett Favre puts on a few classic moves in a gift of a win from the Eagles!

Tom Brady stands flat footed and Imperial as the leader of the Patriots!
They got it right at http://www.femalefan.com/....

"...once Sundays become consumed by the NFL, we do nothing. Or at least convince ourselves that we don’t ‘have to’ do anything because “Sunday = Football, and that’s that."

That describes NFL Sundays perfectly for me. I figure I'm "productive" enough if the breakfast dishes are washed before halftime.

Why do I feel so entitled to my football time?
Simply because I'm an American?

No, I have plenty of friends who spend their Sundays elsewhere. For one, cleaning all the sheets in the house is preferable to one minute of football. Actually, most of the time I watch football alone.

The loves we adore from afar can become most powerful. When I was growing up, a girl never had a chance to play in a game.

Now there are plenty of youth Flag Football Leagues for boys and girls around the country. I hope they play on and on.

Speaking the Truth

On Michael Vick:

I've done things I've known are wrong. I have lied to hide my shame, I have occasionally shoplifted, but those were merely shrugs and Crackerjack prizes compared to this lowlife.

I'm sad for all of us. I think the NFL will become stronger for this in the end, but It's going to take banning Vick from the league.

More than anything else, when the pitchforks and torches are put away, I hope there is actual rehabilitation for him and his cohorts. Time and effort must be made to help them see the light (no LIE), because someone like him could make a difference as an activist against dogfighting.

Oh goodness, will I never put my naivete away?

On Eli Manning & Tiki Barber:
Manning had every right to speak up against Barber for insulting him about his leadership. It's true that Barber called his own leadership and heart into question when he announced his retirement mid-season, but let's put this into perspective. Commentator Marshall Faulk was right when he described this story as "fun."

The "He said/He said" of the NFL talking heads reminded me a little too much of gossip by the lockers in junior high. If Eli and Tiki really didn't want the publicity they wouldn't have this "feud" via the media.

The NFL is just relieved to have something fluffy to talk about that doesn't involve actual "fur."

"Before" the Verdict

Hard to reserve judgement when

co-defendants are pleading guilty, but in fact I am still trying. Innocent first!

I agree with Mr. White of the Atlanta NAACP, it IS a crime to lambaste Michael Vick before he's had a chance to be heard.

Am I just holding out hope for some shred of innocence because I think he's such a handsome football star? Oh yeah. He's a dream on the field. A lighter style than almost any other QB I've seen, as if there are strings from above twisting him away from defenders.

Where will that appreciation go?

Should we be ashamed to have been (still want to be) fans?

I won't throw out my Michael Vick VHS tapes just yet. (Yes, I do have several.) For now, there is still a little bit of US Democracy hope, for me and whoever else was taken enough by Michael Vick in the sweet birdsong of his career.

The appreciation of Bill Walsh was overflowing in San Francisco. A chance for the sports world to remind us what can be accomplished by those who ARE able to keep their balance on that high pedestal.

One more Chance for Michael Vick

Michael Vick, of the bounding speed
and terrible personal reputation, may
have at LEAST one more chance on the
football field this fall.

Why?

Because the Falcons drafted Joey Harrington. Yes, I think he is one of the good guys, but Harrington is a NON rushing quarterback who throws just as many interceptions as Vick.

Harrington is certainly not Plan A for the Atlanta coaching staff, but I wouldn't be surprised if they send him in for some reps as a Running Back this offseason. Pick up some moves, Joey!

Faithful... for a Day

The best thing about last month's 49er Family Day at San Francisco's Monster Park was getting to run the 40 yard dash "against" my 8 year old son. They timed us and everything. I wonder, at what age will he actually be faster than me? I still let him win 99 percent of the time, and waiting in line at the 40 yard dash I worried that I was "spoiling" him. That I'm not giving him enough experience with reality. I stopped my wondering after I saw every single parent do exactly the same thing with their own kids.

SO, I guess we are NOT a Great Santini generation.

My only beef with the 49er event was how they advertised tours of the actual locker rooms, then when we got to the park we were told they had been "sold out." I didn't even know we needed a reservation! Better info next time, I hope, to avoid disappointment.

Oh well, I guess 49er fans are supposed to be used to disappointment -- as evidenced by the big selling t-shirts of the day:

"49er FAITHFUL."

...I guess you gotta be.

So Lawng, Keyshawn

It's official! Keyshawn Johnson is retiring from the NFL and taking his turn as a TV sports analyst for ESPN.

Norby Williamson, ESPN executive vice president was thrilled with the on air job he did during the draft. "He delivered strong, candid opinions and passionate analysis, attributes that will make him a first-rate analyst in his new career."

Was he a selfish player? He wrote Just Give Me the Damn Ball when he was a rookie, but he backed up his bravado with performance. He won the Rose Bowl, the Super Bowl, and was elected to the Pro Bowl on numerous occasions.

I will miss that long stretch for the impossible pass...

NFL decisions support my "Theory of Stored Energy"

1) Last Year
In the 2006 season, Parcells took vet QB Drew Bledsoe out of the game and put in backup Tony Romo. Three years on the practice squad and the sidelines had given Romo an understanding of the game, and the physical freshness to beat the fastest linebackers around the corner. He had all the talent, but hadn't taken the years of pounding. The guy was romping around the field with constant New Sneaker energy, and he brought significant success to the team.

2) This year's NFL Draft:
Surprisingly, another way to increase your Stored Energy Value is through injury. Many teams used their top picks this year to draft players who had been injured and had to sit out for a chunk of their college careers.

The Oakland Raiders drafted running back Michael Bush in the fourth round. He was favored to win the Heisman Trophy until he broke his leg halfway through last season.

DT Justin Harrell, Green Bay's first pick, missed most of his senior year because of a ruptured tendon in his bicep. Brandon Jackson, Green Bay's second pick, is coming off surgery in both shoulders. As a seventh round pick, how about DeShawn Wynn, whose rash of injury problems limited his playing time and effectiveness most of last year?

I'll just have to put my faith in this theory,

because with go-to RBs Ahman Green and William Henderson gone,

Jackson and Wynn are going to have to unleash a fair amount of stored energy.

I'm glad the Patriots took Randy Moss, especially since Ted Thompson said he was actually considering him for the Packers! In the sunset of his career, Bret Favre does not need a snarling showboat who has admitted to "dogging it" when he was at Oakland. He needs a snarling showboat who can give everything he's got to catch the ball.

The Panthers just let Keyshawn Johnson go. Give him a call, Green Bay.

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.

On the road to the draft / On the road to recovery

NFL Combine wraps up today.
Huge and humble LSU QB Jamarcus Russell impressed a lot of coaches, whereas the favorite QB coming in, Brady Quinn, may have lost a little ground when he declined to work out for the combine. But Quinn is an amazing QB, and I hardly think he will not be snapped up quickly by the NFL. He's talented and increbily confident, not mention he's in amazing shape.

When he stepped on the scale to be weighed wearing just his workout shorts, the male announcers were falling over themselves to admire his physique. "Just look at that body!" They reported. (Hey, they said it first.)



Brett Favre finally has the ankle surgery that he's been putting off for four years!

The bone spur removal procedure went well and the Packers believe Favre will be ready for the post-draft veteran mini camp May 18th.

Funny to think of Iron Man Favre procrastinating surgery for four years. After 257 consecutive starts, broken thumb, concussions and three hundred pound lineman smashing him to the turf, what's he got to be afraid of?

The only thing I can think of is the fear that, at the age of 37, he wouldn't be able to make a full recovery. He'd gotten used to playing with the pain, but surgery was the unknown. My helmet's off to him for his belated bravery.

NFL Network Coverage of Scouting Combine Starts Today!

February 22-28:

The top 300 NFL football prospects from colleges across the nation strut their stuff to try and earn a spot in the NFL draft. Live press conferences, all the physical drills and even player interviews will be broadcast this year.

Not only do the athletes have to be faster than the wind and bench press their guts out, they have to take The Wonderlic Test, an Intelligence test the NFL has been administering for about thirty years. ESPN's Jeff Merron provides some sample questions, if you're game. I admit, I got three wrong.

NFL prospects score about average. Chemists and doctors a bit higher, but when's the last time you saw a Chemist somersault into the end zone?

For the complete listing of NFL combine coverage, go to NFL Network TV schedule.

Survive the Offseason - Tip #1

1. Watch Friday Night Lights on NBC, Wednesdays at 8pm.

For those not familiar, it's based on the book by H.G. Bissinger, and chronicles the small Texas town of Dillon and its passion for high school football. The hopes and dreams of the players are intertwined with the town itself.

The TV series opened with the star quarterback taking a hit that put him in a wheelchair. While certainly guilty of pulling emotional strings with its audience, this device has worked to shake much of the usual teenage artifice from the characters, and how they relate to each other.

Breaking records, but not our hearts..?

Brett Favre means more to the Packers team and fans with each passing year, but I hope he's not coming back just to break John Elway's victory record or complete more touchdown passes than Dan Marino. He has to know he is beyond records and into legend already.

I'm thrilled that I don't have to see him go yet,

but I really won’t be able to stand it if I have to see him fail.


CONGRATS TO THE COLTS!

Debating Super Bowl commercials is not usually my thing, but I have to speak up against this one, disguised as an interview...

In the post game show with Deion Sanders, rookie Kelvin Hayden said a Tiki Barber "Cadillac" commerical inspired his dream that he was going to run an interception in for a score! If I'm not mistaken, this is product placement! I know he wasn't voted MVP, but does Hayden get a free Escalade for saying that?

How Close did You get to the "Big Game?"... PLUS Snacks!

I am basking in the feeling of "one more meaningful game," and I don't care how many times I hear about Bears and Colts carrying the dreams of their families and communities!

Peyton Manning, after nine years in the league, college, high school, and back to the previous generation. Rex Grossman’s father played college ball, and grandfather played in the NFL - for the Colts, no less!

That’s not to say the parents, much less the public, hasn’t realized their own share of dreams, but the closest I ever got to my “big game’ was high school basketball, and you might have nicknamed me the "Archie Manning" of point guards.

http://www.porktenderloinsandwich.com/

If you're a Colts fan looking to serve some authentic Indianapolis food at your SB party, look no further than the Fried Pork Tenderloin Sandwich.

The pictures alone are enough to give me indigestion, but the natives swear by it.

Did you know a pro football player burns through about 4,000 calories during a game? Thanks, L.A. Times Health section, for reminding me that my guacamole dreams far out"weigh" my caloric couch reality.

Who scored more points this year,
the Colts or the Bears?

Answer: they both scored an EQUAL 427 points!

Last Stop before the Super Bowl

'Twas the night before the Conference Championships and all through the league,
not a pundit really knew just which teams would succeed.

Peyton Manning in his helmet and Dungy in his cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's snap.

When what to their gaping eyes did appear, but Teddy Bruschi unchecked
and the fans holding their cheer.

On tackle, on center and Addai who can block
Halt Blitzn' right now or I'm going to get sacked!

Ha-ha.

Tomorrow the Super Bowl teams will be decided.
I'm rooting for Colts because Tom Brady's already won three Super Bowls.

You Sir, are No Devin Hester

Those were my thoughts when the Chargers' Eric Parker fumbled that punt return in the AFC playoff game against the Patriots, because during the Bears game the day before, even though I was aghast at the way Hester kept boggling his punt returns, on none of said boggles did Hester actually LOSE the ball, and I give him credit for being able to recover from his jitters so quickly.

In fact, by the end of the game I was wondering why they don't put Hester in as a receiver some time? They could get him a short pass or set up a screen and see how many defenders he could fake out!

Football is fantastic because NO ONE gives up. The Pats defense was on its heels in the first half but the offense came in and kept firing away. Stalwart Tom said it for all the kiddies out there at his press conference, "Even though it doesn't all go well, you still have to believe in yourself and still have confidence and go out there and play."

Why wouldn't LT want to bust wide open seeing that dance at midfield after the game?

However, can someone fill me in on why he would slam Belichick at the press conference? That seems foolish, especially since he's been through the locker room and had an opportunity to prepare himself.

TONY ROMO's slip gives him heaviest chin in NFL

Tony Romo started the year with something to prove, and ended it with something to overcome.

Football players talk a lot about character, about never giving up and getting up after you've been knocked down. I think Romo will use this to his advantage in the coming seasons. Maybe it's a good thing in the long run that he didn't get too much too fast. Look what happened to Ben Roethlesburger. Super Bowl Champ his rookie year, then flat on his face the next.

I hope Parcells comes back, and I think how they just lost will definitely be a factor in his decision. He will want to redeem himself.

Everyone's got sympathetic comments for Romo, from T.O. at the post game press conference to the bloggers at www.ivillage.com/femalefan. Several posts at the Cowboys fan forum are even floating the idea that the ball that slipped through Romo's fingers may have been "greased," but there's no getting away from the fact that this botched snap "monkey" is going to be on Romo’s back unless and until he can get the Cowboys beyond the first round of the playoffs, no matter how much his teammates (or even Carrie Underwood) try to comfort him.

It's so amazing how one mistake can instantly re-define a player. I just hope it doesn’t re-define his whole career.