Mere weeks after every national media outlet reported that Brett Favre wasn't going to play this season, every national media outlet now is reporting that he's on his way to Minnesota, presumably to tell the Vikings that he's coming back for a 20th season.
Apparently the Vikings were so desperate to get their 40-year-old QB back that they sent defensive end Jared Allen, offensive lineman Steve Hutchinson and kicker Ryan Longwell to Mississippi to beg Favre to come back. And, apparently, the groveling worked.
As is my stance with most Favre reports, I'm skeptical of this one. I've been of the mind this whole offseason that he was coming back, so the news that he's traveling to Minnesota is no surprise. Perhaps he's just going there to hold another tearful retirement press conference. Or maybe he'll be at practice tomorrow.
Hopefully we find out sooner rather than later. But given that it's Favre, he'll probably drag this out for as long as he can and soak up as much attention as we're willing to give him.
I wish I could say that this Favre nonsense will all be over soon. But we all know that's not even close to the truth.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
Caught in a trap
Poor Dustin Johnson.
The American held a three-shot lead entering the final round of the U.S. Open before stumbling to an 82 in the final round. But what happened on Sunday at the PGA Championship at Whistling Straights was even more of a stomach punch.
Johnson led by a stroke in the final round as he reached the 18th tee. His shot veer far right into gallery an into a bunker. Or was it? The sandy patch, despite being trampled on by the gallery for four days, is indeed deemed a bunker by PGA standards, and Johnson grounded his club.
As any golfer or golf fans know, this is a two-stroke penalty. But Johnson said "it never crossed his mind" that it was a bunker. He was assessed a two-stroke penalty and missed the subsequent playoff, eventually won by Martin Kaymer.
It's easy to feel for Johnson, but he should have known to ask for a ruling, as an official was within an earshot of him at the time of the infraction. Johnson was noble in defeat, never claiming he didn't ground the club, but was rather surprised by the ruling, and the fact that it was in fact a bunker.
As a consolation prize, Johnson's fifth-place finish earned him a spot on this year's Ryder Cup team, and hopefully he and have a big impact as the U.S. attempts to defend the title. Furthermore, here's to hoping he can finally win that elusive first major next season.
The American held a three-shot lead entering the final round of the U.S. Open before stumbling to an 82 in the final round. But what happened on Sunday at the PGA Championship at Whistling Straights was even more of a stomach punch.
Johnson led by a stroke in the final round as he reached the 18th tee. His shot veer far right into gallery an into a bunker. Or was it? The sandy patch, despite being trampled on by the gallery for four days, is indeed deemed a bunker by PGA standards, and Johnson grounded his club.
As any golfer or golf fans know, this is a two-stroke penalty. But Johnson said "it never crossed his mind" that it was a bunker. He was assessed a two-stroke penalty and missed the subsequent playoff, eventually won by Martin Kaymer.
It's easy to feel for Johnson, but he should have known to ask for a ruling, as an official was within an earshot of him at the time of the infraction. Johnson was noble in defeat, never claiming he didn't ground the club, but was rather surprised by the ruling, and the fact that it was in fact a bunker.
As a consolation prize, Johnson's fifth-place finish earned him a spot on this year's Ryder Cup team, and hopefully he and have a big impact as the U.S. attempts to defend the title. Furthermore, here's to hoping he can finally win that elusive first major next season.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Love those Rex-pletives
Rex Ryan issued an apology Thursday for what some would call excessive profanity he used in the debut of the HBO series, “Hard Knocks,” which follows the New York Jets and their coach through training camp.
Thankfully, Ryan gave no indication he was going to clean up the language.
Ryan and his foul mouth are unquestionably the stars of the show. For him to tone it down to a PG-13 level would ruin it, and negate the benefit of HBO, where pretty much anything goes.
I consider myself something of an aficionado of foul language, a connoisseur of cursing, if you will. I appreciate a good F-bomb as much as anybody, and Rex dropped enough in the first show to make a grandmother faint. I have absolutely no interest in the New York Jets, but I couldn’t help but watch. Whenever Rex was on screen, I eagerly anticipated the next hilarious thing that was going to come out of his big, fat mouth.
It took all of about 10 seconds into the show for him to start cursing, and I was hooked. Some may think he was hamming it up for the cameras, but my guess is that was just Rex being Rex. As someone who’s been in a few NFL locker rooms, trust me, by no means are Rex and the Jets unique in their dialogue. The only thing more prevalent than naked fat guys in an NFL locker room are the swear words flying back and forth like a gunfight.
So if you find Sexy Rexy offensive (which is perfectly understandable), don’t watch. Because no matter how much people complain, Rex isn’t changing.
Thankfully, Ryan gave no indication he was going to clean up the language.
Ryan and his foul mouth are unquestionably the stars of the show. For him to tone it down to a PG-13 level would ruin it, and negate the benefit of HBO, where pretty much anything goes.
I consider myself something of an aficionado of foul language, a connoisseur of cursing, if you will. I appreciate a good F-bomb as much as anybody, and Rex dropped enough in the first show to make a grandmother faint. I have absolutely no interest in the New York Jets, but I couldn’t help but watch. Whenever Rex was on screen, I eagerly anticipated the next hilarious thing that was going to come out of his big, fat mouth.
It took all of about 10 seconds into the show for him to start cursing, and I was hooked. Some may think he was hamming it up for the cameras, but my guess is that was just Rex being Rex. As someone who’s been in a few NFL locker rooms, trust me, by no means are Rex and the Jets unique in their dialogue. The only thing more prevalent than naked fat guys in an NFL locker room are the swear words flying back and forth like a gunfight.
So if you find Sexy Rexy offensive (which is perfectly understandable), don’t watch. Because no matter how much people complain, Rex isn’t changing.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Final: New England 27, New Orleans 24
Someone tell New Orleans this is an exhibition game! Trailing 24-21, the Saints on fourth and goal inside the New England 10 go for the tie as they would in the regular season and kick a field goal with 2:40 remaining to tie it at 24-24.
But with overtime threatening, Robinson connects with Darnell Jenkins for a 52-yard gainer to the Saints' 12. Gostkowski's boots a 28-yard field goal with 53 seconds to go and the Pats after a big hit by rookie safety Sergio Brown and a pick of the ensuing loose ball by linebacker Eric Alexander hold on for a 27-24 win.
But with overtime threatening, Robinson connects with Darnell Jenkins for a 52-yard gainer to the Saints' 12. Gostkowski's boots a 28-yard field goal with 53 seconds to go and the Pats after a big hit by rookie safety Sergio Brown and a pick of the ensuing loose ball by linebacker Eric Alexander hold on for a 27-24 win.
New England 24, New Orleans 21 after three quarters
New England gets the ball first after halftime and Edelman is still at it. He takes a pass on third and five for a 12-yard gainer to the New Orleans 3 before Maroney eventually scores from a yard out.
But the 23-7 lead is again back to 10 when Larry Beavers returns the ensuing kickoff 97 weaving yards for a touchdown.
Beavers has one pro season on his resume after a college career at Wesley. Which is where?
Delaware! The Wolverines are ranked No. 3 preseason. In Division III.
Edelman takes a seat on the bench next to Brady as the Patriots go nowhere on their next series.
New Orleans then gobbles up 68 yards in four plays to pull within 24-21 midway through the third quarter.
New England's also got a nice young return guy in Devin McCourty, a rookie cornerback from Rutgers. He takes the ensuing kickoff 50 yards. McCourty returned the second-half kickoff for a longer gainer as well.
Zac Robinson, a rookie from Oklahoma State, becomes New England's third quarterback. And the third quarter ends with New England on top 24-21.
But the 23-7 lead is again back to 10 when Larry Beavers returns the ensuing kickoff 97 weaving yards for a touchdown.
Beavers has one pro season on his resume after a college career at Wesley. Which is where?
Delaware! The Wolverines are ranked No. 3 preseason. In Division III.
Edelman takes a seat on the bench next to Brady as the Patriots go nowhere on their next series.
New Orleans then gobbles up 68 yards in four plays to pull within 24-21 midway through the third quarter.
New England's also got a nice young return guy in Devin McCourty, a rookie cornerback from Rutgers. He takes the ensuing kickoff 50 yards. McCourty returned the second-half kickoff for a longer gainer as well.
Zac Robinson, a rookie from Oklahoma State, becomes New England's third quarterback. And the third quarter ends with New England on top 24-21.
New England 17, New Orleans 7 at halftime
Here comes New Orleans early in the second quarter. With some New England help. Drew Brees on fourth and six gets Patriors cornerback Darius Butler on pass interference, then short passes, some power running and a 2-yard run to the left pylon by speedy Reggie Bush get the Saints into the end zone.
Brady's night (5 of 8 for 67 yards) is done after having a hot hand in his second of two series. Brian Hoyer's in and knows who to go to. Edelman hauls in two catches for 39 yards before Laurence Maroney's 5-yard touchdown puts New England's lead again at 10 points at 17-7.
Patrick Ramsey takes over for Brees with about five minutes remaining in the half.
Pats are getting some pressure at times on Ramsey - and they did sack Brees once for 11 yards.
Nice hit for a pass breakup by cornerback Jonathan Wilhite on Courtney Robey on a slant. It killed a Saints series.
The irrepressible Edelman eluded the New Orleans defense for a 22-yard reception to put the Pats on their 42 at the two-minute warning, but the scoring is done for the first half.
Brady's night (5 of 8 for 67 yards) is done after having a hot hand in his second of two series. Brian Hoyer's in and knows who to go to. Edelman hauls in two catches for 39 yards before Laurence Maroney's 5-yard touchdown puts New England's lead again at 10 points at 17-7.
Patrick Ramsey takes over for Brees with about five minutes remaining in the half.
Pats are getting some pressure at times on Ramsey - and they did sack Brees once for 11 yards.
Nice hit for a pass breakup by cornerback Jonathan Wilhite on Courtney Robey on a slant. It killed a Saints series.
The irrepressible Edelman eluded the New Orleans defense for a 22-yard reception to put the Pats on their 42 at the two-minute warning, but the scoring is done for the first half.
New England 10, New Orleans 0 after the first quarter
Maybe beating the Super Bowl champions will be a Brees.
New England gets on the board first against New Orleans in the first few minutes, but the Patriots wanted more than Stephen Gostkowski's 35-yard field goal that caps their first possession.
After all, Wes Welker clone Julian Edelman's 40-yard punt return after the Saints' first series put the Pats just 19 yards from the visitors' end zone.
But a short run and a couple of Tom Brady incompletes - a tipped pass at the line of scrimmage and one that fell far from Kevin Faulk coming out of the backfield - made it three and ... well, eventually 3-0 New England.
Edelman puts on the moves again on New England's next series. He takes a quick pass on the right side from Brady, slips a tackle at the line of scrimmage, and races 21 yards to the Saints' 16.
The Pats soon punch a run in for a 10-0 lead. It holds up through the first 15 minutes of the exhibtion season.
New England gets on the board first against New Orleans in the first few minutes, but the Patriots wanted more than Stephen Gostkowski's 35-yard field goal that caps their first possession.
After all, Wes Welker clone Julian Edelman's 40-yard punt return after the Saints' first series put the Pats just 19 yards from the visitors' end zone.
But a short run and a couple of Tom Brady incompletes - a tipped pass at the line of scrimmage and one that fell far from Kevin Faulk coming out of the backfield - made it three and ... well, eventually 3-0 New England.
Edelman puts on the moves again on New England's next series. He takes a quick pass on the right side from Brady, slips a tackle at the line of scrimmage, and races 21 yards to the Saints' 16.
The Pats soon punch a run in for a 10-0 lead. It holds up through the first 15 minutes of the exhibtion season.
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