Last week, Adrian Peterson, when asked about the prospect of the Vikings bringing Brett Favre on board, said all the right things praising the future Hall-of-Famer. Then, he said this: “I know our coach [Brad Childress] is going to do his job, and at the end of the day his job is having the best team possible to win games. That’s his job, so I’m going to let him handle his job and I’m going to do my job.”
Is it just me, or does that not sound like a very ringing endorsement of the situation? Could Peterson have doubts about adding Favre, whose late-season play possibly singlehandedly kept the Jets out of the playoffs last year? Peterson is the focus of the Vikings’ offense, and if Favre is throwing interceptions, AP isn’t getting carries. And as he becomes leader of this team (a role he might not like to share if Favre arrives), he’s standing up for his current quarterbacks. The Vikes brought in Sage Rosenfels to upgrade their QB stituation; maybe AP believes they made the right move then.
And one other thing on the “trust” issue: When Peterson wanted to bulk up in the offseason, Childress was hesitant. Why would he suddenly trust his coach’s opinion on Favre now? Because maybe he doesn’t, but as a the team’s leader, he has to say the right things.
Posted on 29th June 2009
Under: NFL news, notes, and unsolicited opinions | No Comments »
It’s another slow period for NFL news — nothing is new on the Brandon Marshall front (gee, after Jay Cutler left Denver, did you think Marshall would be far behind?); LeRoi Glover retired today; and I still hope Brett Favre doesn’t return. But an annual rite of June has occurred: The first slew of fantasy football magazines are on sale.
I already have three (and I’ll be reviewing them soon), but it’s tough to achieve any meaningful research from them this early, partly we’re a month away from training camp, and partly because it’s such a rush that these first ones came out that I can’t stay focused on one section at a time. The latter quandary will pass, but in the meantime, I’m looking forward to the next batch of magazines to be published. Happy reading!
Posted on 23rd June 2009
Under: Bye weeks, Fantasy free-for-all | 1 Comment »
Browns receiver Donte Stallworth is going to jail for 30 days after pleading out to DUI manslaughter for killing a pedestrian. His exile from the NFL is likely to last longer.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Stallworth indefinitely Thursday. Whether you agree with Stallworth’s off-the-field punishment, Goodell had to act. The NFL is serious about protecting its image, and not suspending Stallworth would have undermined that effort.
When should Stallworth come back? Hopefully, Goodell sits him for the season. Yes, that might be harsher punishment than the courts gave him, but should he be allowed to earn good money while on house arrest? Not in 2009. If Goodell was really serious, it wouldn’t be for 2010, either.
Posted on 19th June 2009
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After 15 solid yet injury-filled seasons, quarterback Trent Green retired Friday.
Green’s legacy might not be for his play on the field — he had a few decent seasons with the Chiefs — but the knee injury he suffered in 1999. Had he not gotten hurt that preseason, the world may never had known who Kurt Warner was. But Warner stepped in and began a possible Hall of Fame career, while Green slipped into the second tier of NFL quarterbacks.
It’s interesting to postulate what Green might have done in 1999 had he been healthy. He retires with a Super Bowl ring and 162 career touchdown passes — not too shabby. Unlike many other what-if QBs, Green is leaving the game after a successful career.
Posted on 14th June 2009
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I’m somewhat sticking to my moratorium on not blogging on Brett Favre, and have resisted through the latest rumors and reports that he had shoulder surgery and that the Vikings might be backing off. But this was too silly not skip: Favre’s family reportedly has booked up to 30 rooms at a Green Bay hotel for the weekend the Packers host the Vikes.
This story was first reported by a Green Bay newspaper, just reconfirming how obsessed Wisconsin still is over Brett Favre. And the fact these rooms were reportedly booked two months ago leads me to believe Favre had this in mind all along, since February when he “retired” again. I say it again: Brett, retire, just let it go.
Posted on 10th June 2009
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Brian Westbrook underwent surgery Friday to remove bone spurs in his ankle. Maybe at least this year, he’s getting his annual injury out of the way before the season even starts.
Or, is this a sign of things to come. Westbrook has been a frustrating running back for fantasy owners — he puts up outstanding numbers when he plays, but gets so banged up that he never makes it through a full season. The most games in a season he’s played is 15 (four times), but even then, there’s always a game or two in which he was limited because of various injuries.
So hearing that he had surgery now might be good news, but it also might be a bad omen for the season. And for fantasy owners, it’s a scary omen — with his receiving numbers, he’s too good not to pass up in the first round, but also frightening to rely upon as an RB1. Monitor his progress all summer, and be prepared to at least take pause if he’s still available when you are picking in the first round.
Posted on 7th June 2009
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Let the Vince Young trade rumors begin.
The Tennessee quarterback said Monday that he wants to start again, but if he’s not, maybe it’s time to move on.
You had to figure this was coming at some point. Yes, Young’s had his problems, but he’s got too much potential to be on the bench behind Kerry Collins. And with him saying it out loud, you can tell that maybe he’s getting restless.
If you were Jeff Fisher, would you be tempted to give Young another shot to start the season and have the confidence that the Titans’ defense and running game could pull you through if Young struggles? Because Collins is not the Titans’ quarterback of the future; they better not find themselves without that QB when he retires or gets injured.
Posted on 2nd June 2009
Under: NFL news, notes, and unsolicited opinions | 1 Comment »