I have lived this the past 10 years. No one stops the presses – whether there’s actual news or not – like this guy. I’m actually convinced that there’s a “Favre Alarm” at ESPN headquarters to alert the campus of any signs of smoke coming from southern Mississippi. Andrew Brandt
Why all the fuss about Brett Favre? I have lived this the past 10 years. No one stops the presses – whether there’s actual news or not – like this guy. I’m actually convinced that there’s a “Favre Alarm” at ESPN headquarters to alert the campus of any signs of smoke coming from southern Mississippi.
As I wrote in February when he retired (2009 version), Brett is a good guy with flaws, like all of us. When he decided last year that four months of retirement were enough, he wanted to return to the position he left, starting quarterback for the Packers. That option wasn’t available. His second choice was the Minnesota Vikings. The Packers controlled – and blocked – that option. He reluctantly became a New York Jet and made the best of a situation that was less than optimal.
Now, he’s a free agent, as the contract I negotiated in 2001 (we were hoping he would play three years) was terminated last week. The Jets’ five-month rental is over as they move forward; the Vikings have apparently surfaced again. And it appears Brett still has the media breathless for a possible second un-retirement. We shall see.
Why is the NFL placing 16 “Legacy Games” on the schedule this fall? A few reasons. These games will mark and honor the 50th anniversary of the American Football League, which started in 1960 (actually, it’s the 49th anniversary, but who’s counting?). AFL teams that are now part of the NFL will wear their old AFL uniforms for these 16 games. This obviously represents a golden – pardon the pun – opportunity to market and sell a new line of apparel, much in the manner of the retro lines that have become so popular.
To quell the cynicism about a simple money grab, the NFL has smartly announced an auction for the jerseys worn during these games, with the funds raised going to the NFL Player Care Foundation. With the public relations stigma that the league has had about not doing enough for retired players – especially with images of some of the players infirmed or handicapped – this is a deft strategic maneuver by the league to honor the AFL and raise money and awareness for the assistance of the former players.
Why does Arizona Cardinals defensive end Darnell Dockett want to be traded? Dockett wants a contract, first and foremost. Since it appears he will not get that wish from his present team, the Cardinals, he wants to get out of that situation to a club that might be more receptive to his financial demands.
Dockett is following the strategy – unsuccessful thus far – of his teammate, Anquan Boldin (he, like Boldin, retains agent Drew Rosenhaus). Unlike Boldin, who has two years remaining on his contract, Dockett has three, which makes for a weaker argument.
But to be clear, Dockett wants a contract more than he wants to be traded. He would be perfectly happy remaining in Arizona with a new deal.
And I thought I would add a new feature to the Wednesday Whys, a “Why to Ponder”:
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The numbers behind the game
Real action is week before the...
Signs point to the end of an era
Jul 23, 2010
09:33 AM
I understand players’ feelings when the market passes them by. It’s human nature. No one is immune to what’s going on around us. Sometimes, however, we have to live with our decisions, good or bad, especially from the team side, with dozens of players watching and waiting to see what the team does.