Archive for Brett Favre
Sent Packing by the Green Bay Packers
Posted by: | CommentsAn interesting topic came up at the Upper Deck offices earlier today. Since the big news was the Vikings firing of head coach Brad Childress, this discussion produced an interesting tidbit concerning the Green Bay Packers. As it turns out, this actually marks the second week in a row that the Packers have ended a coach’s tenure with his team. Green Bay ended the Wade Phillips saga in Dallas a week before they finished off Brad Childress. That’s quite the coach-killing resume considering both coaches were on thin ice but expected to finish out the season. Fans of teams with bad coaches should take note: a well placed knockout punch from the very strong Packers can help end your misery with a head coach you can’t stand.
Chill in the Air: Things were never warm and cozy between Brett Favre and Brad Childress. Never.
This revelation probably caused you, like everyone else, to look forward to the Packers’ next game and see if they can make it three in a row. Unfortunately they face the Atlanta Falcons, who are definitely not ready to let Mike Smith go no matter what the final score is this weekend. However, there are some more potential targets on the Packers’ schedule. In two weeks, the San Francisco 49ers (1-9 as of this writing) represent a prime target, especially after entering the season as divisional favorites. One week later the Packers get to feast on the perennial snake bit Detroit Lions, and their head coach Jim Schwartz is on the hot seat 24/7 simply by default. Even the New York Giants toward the end of the season could be a possibility should they continue to struggle. Players seem to dislike Tom Coughlin already, so a poor season culminating in a Packers blowout may be all it takes. Someone should really look this up, because the Packers may be on their way to setting an NFL record for most coaches to be forced out in a season.
Woe is Me: Phillips knew his days in Big D were numbered following the 'Boys 45-7 trouncing by the Packers.
But getting back to this coming weekend’s game, it’s a great barometer for how the NFC will shake out this year. No coaches will end up in the unemployment line over this game, but right now the Packers and Falcons are two of the top teams in the conference. In a year where most agree there are few truly elite teams and everyone is jockeying for the top spots, this game could go a long way toward sorting out who rules the NFC heading into the stretch run. Not only that, both teams have divisional opponents breathing down their necks. This is a huge game as the winner is on the fast track to a race for the NFC’s No. 1 playoff seed. The loser, meanwhile, may be fighting just to keep pace in its division with a playoff spot not even guaranteed. It’s the definition of a must-win game when your season outlook can be so different depending on whether a single game goes down as a win or loss. The Packers need it slightly more if only because the Falcons have one more victory and the Bears are neck-and-neck with Green Bay compared to the Saints being just behind the Falcons. However if I’m the Falcons this is no time to let up with the Saints offense slowly starting to find its groove. You have to shut the door when you can, and from that perspective I’d be more worried about leaving the door open for New Orleans than I would leaving it open for Chicago.
The key matchup has to be the passing game. Matt Ryan is going head-to-head against Aaron Rodgers in a battle of two young albeit very good quarterbacks. Then there’s Greg Jennings and Roddy White clashing for the right to be called the NFC’s best wideout. No doubt it will be a star-studded shootout. From that standpoint it’s hard not to give the edge to the Packers. The Green Bay pass rush has been deadly, and you have to expect Clay Matthews and company to knock Ryan around at least a few times in this game. In the secondary, veteran Charles Woodson has the ability to keep White in check. Of course keeping White in check means holding him to 70-80 yards and one TD, but that’s where the Green Bay offense comes in. The Falcons rank a measly 24th in the NFL against the pass, and if Donald Driver is healthy the passing game should be going full out. The Falcons will still get their points, but they won’t be enough to keep pace with a Packers offense that should be in line for a big game. My gut says the Packers prevail in a close, high-scoring affair; something along the lines of 38-31.
Either way, both teams are very good. The losing team will have to work a lot harder to finish out the regular season, but really both teams are looking like locks for a playoff spot. Even if the Bears or Saints win one of these divisional battles, both the Packers and Falcons should be right there for a Wild Card spot. Confidence is what will really be on the line Sunday. One team is going to come out of this game with a lot of swagger, and they will truly be feeling like the best squad in the NFC. Get full on that Thanksgiving turkey and enjoy the Thursday NFL action, but the real feast will be on Sunday. The Packers-Falcons clash for the main course sounds good to me!
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What’s Next for The Vikings and Favre?
Posted by: | CommentsThe epic run of Brett Favre started in August and ended in disappointment during Championship Weekend. Although Favre was brought in by the Vikings to get to and win the Super Bowl, the team only reached as far as they did thanks to his leadership. Whether it was the amazing finish to the week three match-up with San Fransisco, or the divisional round stomping of the hottest team in the NFL, Favre accomplished everything BUT reaching the actual Super Bowl. He may not have ended his last game on top, but he is going out with a bang like no 40-year old player ever has.
Now, the retirement dance begins again, as it has for the last three years. However, unlike previous years, coach Brad Childress is not worried. Favre may have said that his return is “highly unlikely,” but from him, that statement basically means maybe. It’s tough to think that he wouldn’t try at least one more time, given the success he had in Minnesota this year, especially with the Vikings not being shy about telling the press they are happy to have him back.
It’s also hard to believe that a competitor like Favre would want to end his career after one of the craziest games he has ever played. Fumbles galore, interceptions, and a horrible decision late in the game brought the Vikings’ season to an end, something many detractors had been predicting since the preseason. The blame may lie squarely on Favre’s shoulders for the last drive, but it wasn’t like Peterson, Harvin, and Berrian didn’t also contribute to the loss with their comedy of errors.
That game may have been the second overtime championship loss for the Vikings in the last 3 tries, but it was far different from the 1998 loss to the Falcons that crushed my dreams as kid. This time, the Purple were away at a stadium booming with noise and not favored to win, unlike the previous team that lost at home while being favored by a touchdown. The 2009 team fumbled their way to a loss that should have been a win if played mistake free; the 1998 team blew it on a missed kick by a perfect kicker.
Don’t get me wrong – the Vikings have the tools and the resources to get back to the NFC Championship next year, with or without Favre. Backup QB Tarvaris Jackson has shown in minimal time on the field that he has improved enough to be considered for the starting job should Favre not come back, and the draft is ripe with promising QBs to build on for the future. The Vikings are still without a franchise player in that respect, but they may not need one if Adrian Peterson, Sidney Rice, and Percy Harvin continue to play at an elite level.
I also don’t want to discount a Saints team who looked to be in Super Bowl form during the game. The defense played like vultures, circling the Vikings players looking for places to punch the ball out. Tracy Porter and company also did their job in the secondary, playing a great game against a Pro-Bowl level receiving corps. Drew Brees has grown into a player on the same level as Brett Favre in his prime, tearing up a Vikings secondary that wasn’t able to stop his huge plays.
Lastly, as a Vikings fan, it’s just another disappointment to add to the list of horrible breaks that never seem to go our way in the playoffs. I was on cloud nine for almost the entire season and look to be back there come 2010. With the salary cap lifted due to issues with the collective bargaining agreement, hopefully the Vikings can find a way to stack the deck even more in their favor. They have a few players that may not be joining them for the ride in Favre, Pat Williams, and Cedric Griffin, but those holes can be filled from their deep bench and a loaded 2010 draft.
Brett Favre may have only played one year for the Vikings, but it was one for the books, and I am satisfied with the whole result despite the individual let-downs. I will wait patiently to see what he decides and will be raring to go regardless of his decision. The Vikings will bounce back, and I will be there with horns on.
Adam Gellman runs the collecting blog Sports Cards Uncensored, and has been a collector of all things sports for over 15 years. To see more of his work, visit www.sportscardsuncensored.com (warning: strong language!)
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NFL Conference Championship Round Preview
Posted by: | CommentsWow, what a week of playoff football! We saw total blowouts from the Saints, Vikings, and Colts, and then another upset from the Cinderella New York Jets team. As the 2009 NFL season heads into conference championship weekend, let’s take a closer look at this week’s games, as well as the always-fun-to-watch Pro Bowl:
2010 AFC Championship Game
New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts
Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010 3:00 PM EST
On paper this looks nothing like a conference championship game. When the Colts and Jets met in Week 16, the Colts were 14-0 and the Jets were a mediocre 7-7 looking for a chance at making it to the postseason. The Jets ended up having an easy pass into the playoffs thanks to the Colts benching their starters, and the Bengals’ disgraceful performance in Week 17. To prove the Jets’ 37-0 beating of the Bengals was no fluke, they came back in the first round of the playoffs to beat them again, 24-14, thanks to two rookies: Mark Sanchez and Shonn Greene. Then last week, they held on against the Chargers, 17-14, and again Shonn Greene was key in grinding out the game.
This week’s matchup pits a team of rookies versus a team of seasoned veterans. Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne have been working it together for nine years now, and they’ve brought the Colts a Super Bowl title and a plethora of playoff appearances. As I mentioned earlier, two of the Jets key offensive players are rookies; Sanchez hasn’t been asked to do much all season and the team has relied on their running attack, powered by Greene and Thomas Jones. The Jets do have the number one defense in the NFL, which could play a factor in this game as they try and stop the 4-time MVP quarterback Manning from taking the 15-1 Colts to another Super Bowl. However, I think the Colts will be too much for the rookie quarterback to handle, and Peyton Manning will step up his game, finding a way past the dominance of Darrelle Revis and the Jets defense. In the end, it looks like the Cinderellas of the 2009 NFL playoffs won’t be able to beat Indianapolis again, and the Colts will win 20-10.
2010 NFC Championship Game
Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints
Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010 6:40 PM EST
This game should certainly be another offensive battle in the NFC. The Saints, who arguably have the best offense in the NFL, led the league in yards per game and points per game throughout the regular season. Drew Brees might be the best quarterback in the NFL right now, and they showed all their weapons against the Arizona Cardinals last week. The Saints aren’t known for having a great defense, but they were still able to blowout Arizona. I think New Orleans, if they can get a hot start, will keep streaking like they did last week and win the game.
On the other hand, the Minnesota Vikings have quite a few weapons of their own. They are led by future Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre and hot-shot running back Adrian Peterson. Minnesota also has nine Pro Bowlers this year, including two starting offensive lineman, wide receiver Sidney Rice, Favre, and Peterson. They also have a solid defense, led by All-Pro defensive end Jared Allen. This team is loaded with talent, and should not disappoint this week in the Big Easy. As tough as this game should be, I see Brett Favre leading his team to a Super Bowl. Vikings win 31-24.
2010 NFL Pro Bowl Game
AFC vs. NFC
Sunday, Jan. 31, 2010 7:20 PM EST
Before the game even starts, it is already making history. For the first time ever, the Pro Bowl will be played before the Super Bowl! Personally I liked the game better when it was after the Super Bowl, but at least now you don’t have to go a week without football anymore. It is also being played in Florida this year instead of Hawaii, a move I don’t like. Hawaii doesn’t have a professional football team, so when the Pro Bowl comes along, all the fans on the little islands in the Pacific Ocean finally get to enjoy a game, and a special one. But it is what it is, and the game will stay on the mainland.
Anyway, this game should also be interesting to watch. But when I look at these rosters though I think one thing: AFC! The AFC looks very strong this year with studs like Peyton Manning, Chris Johnson, and Andre Johnson leading the offense. Their defense is also very strong with sack-king Elvis Dumervil and other stars such as James Harrison, Ray Lewis, Darrelle Revis, and Dwight Freeney. Expect a lot of pressure on the NFC quarterbacks and even a few sacks. I think the NFC has another very strong defense with Darren Sharper, Charles Woodson, and Asante Samuel manning the secondary. Patrick Willis, DeMarcus Ware, and Jared Allen should act as a wall to many of the AFC’s moves, too. Since there is so much talent in these all-star games, it is very tough to predict, but I’d have to give my edge to the AFC, 27-24.
Good luck to all the teams you guys are rooting for and feel free to leave your feedback on who you think will go dancing into the Big Game.
R.I.P. Gaines Adams (1983-2010)
-Rich
Richie Sliwinski, 14, is a young card collector who enjoys playing, watching, and talking about sports, hanging out with friends, going on the computer . . . and of course, collecting cards! He has been featured in Beckett Sports Card Monthly, Sports Illustrated for Kids, and was a kid blogger for Upper Deck Kids.
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Two Weeks of Emotional Swings for Vikings Fans
Posted by: | CommentsIt has been a great season for the Vikings and Brett Favre, but it easily could have been a lot worse coming into this weekend. After an UGLY loss to a Bears team they had already killed once in the season, their fate for a first round bye was out of their hands. First they needed to beat a Giants team that had lost badly to the Carolina Panthers the week before, and it was not going to be easy. If they won, they would need help from Dallas to beat Philadelphia to get the NFC’s number two seed and make Wild Card Weekend a much needed R&R weekend.
Coming out of the loss to the Bears, the team was in a state of despair, looking for a way to right the ship before they were forced to play a game that hadn’t been expected since Week 9. Devin Aromashodu of Chicago had exposed horrible weaknesses in their secondary last Monday night, and all of a sudden, the once rock steady defense looked vulnerable. Cutler and his new favorite target had torched the Vikings for 2 touchdowns, (including the game winner in overtime), and it became obvious that the Vikings could easily go out in the first round of the playoffs instead of avoiding it altogether.
I remember distinctly how I felt after that game. Disappointment was an understated adjective, especially after the way the second half of the game turned out. The Vikings were down 17 points at the beginning of the 3rd quarter and stormed all the way back to tie the game at 23 with less than five minutes to go. After a great return by Danieal Manning, the Bears scored quickly on another touchdown pass from Cutler to Bennett, leaving my hopes for a much needed win in peril. In true Favrian fashion (yes, he has done it so many times, there is now a word for it), the forever young gunslinger drove down the field, and then lobbed a sweet touch pass to Sidney Rice in the end zone as time expired. I was ecstatic to say the least. The rest, I’m sure you have seen a hundred times before the Week 17 games started. Aromashodu caught two passes, the Vikings were down and out, and the last game of the season became a MUST win.
It didn’t seem like Favre got the message, as he showed little concern for the next game on the schedule. To him it was just another game, as he was not letting the massive pressure crush the team under the weight of a pending wild card weekend matchup. Rumors of his continued problems with coach Brad Childress continued to swirl, along with rampant discussion of how the mighty Vikings had gone from sure thing to underdog.
All of that gloomy sentiment was gone in a matter of minutes, as the Vikings’ opening drive against a banged up Giants defense went for six points. By halftime it was 31-0, and the game was pretty much over before any seconds of the third quarter had ticked off the clock. Favre played until it was 41-0, and Vikings fans put on their brand new Cowboys hats to cheer on their new favorite team.
After the Cowboys throttled the Eagles (securing a first round bye for Minnesota in the process), the season’s prospects suddenly had a much sunnier outlook. Favre’s 40 year old body will have an extra week to rest, and fans who were on the verge of a coronary during these last two weeks will have 14 more days to get that cardio into their exercise regimens. Not only will the Vikings have a shot at going deep into the playoffs for the first time in a long time, but seven of Favre’s teammates will be joining him in the Pro Bowl as well.
First time All-Pro Sidney Rice had the best year of his young career, catching close to 80 passes and over 1300 yards. Adrian Peterson’s season may not have been as explosive this year, but his 18 touchdowns speak for themselves. He also caught almost 50 passes out of the backfield, something that he has never done, even while at Oklahoma. Jared Allen ended the year leading the NFC in sacks with 14.5, making him one of the most feared pass rushers in the league. Although Percy Harvin did not get selected as a kick returner for the NFC squad, he is the front runner for the Rookie of the Year hardware, and may still be selected if players decide not to make the trip Miami.
Personally, I am still not sold on the Vikings hope for another Super Bowl appearance, but I am a lot more confident after they took the Giants out behind the shed. They seemed back on top, with Favre doing everything right against a team that looked to be the one to beat in the NFC five weeks ago. Of course, they will either have to beat Green Bay or Arizona to get to whoever wins in New Orleans. Yet, my level of concern is still small leading up to that game. Hopefully Antoine Winfield and Pat Williams will have time to heal up, which is probably the best part of having a week off next week. The defense will need to fix all the problems from the Chicago and Carolina games, with a win being the ultimate result.
As a lifelong Vikings fan, I will say that I do not celebrate until its all over, so this wonderful turnout for Week 17 is just another link in the chain for me. I will be there with horns on for the divisional round, and I am hoping that things turn out well. The Vikings do have a legitimate shot to go deep this year, and my favorite players Peterson, Rice and Harvin should be right there in the trenches with the Silver Fox slugging it out. At this point, I can only hope that booking my plane tickets to Miami will be the ultimate result.
Adam Gellman runs the collecting blog Sports Cards Uncensored, and has been a collector of all things sports for over 15 years. To see more of his work, visit www.sportscardsuncensored.com (warning: strong language!)
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NFL Midseason Review
Posted by: | CommentsI don’t think the 2009 NFL season could have had a crazier start. Storylines aplenty have led to a buzz that I haven’t seen for a few years in this league. Every week a new player emerges, or another top team goes down . . . and the fans are eating it up. I have spent more time this year watching and analyzing than I ever have, and now that we’re at the halfway point, here are my favorite storylines from weeks one through nine.
Brett Favre Shows That Age IS Just a Number
I don’t think there is a Vikings fan (or Packers fan for that matter) that expected this kind of success from an aged veteran like Favre. No matter what we had come to expect from his past success, Favre is outplaying his own precedent. He has led the Vikings to the best record they have had in years, has the second best QB rating in the league by less than a point, and has only thrown three interceptions against 17 touchdowns. He is the reason for the Vikings wonderful success so far, even beating his former team in his former stomping ground. At this point, he is worth the coverage he gets on TV.
Titans Start 0-6
Last year, the Titans started 9-0 and finished at the top of the AFC in just about every category. This year, they seem to have more problems than solutions, starting out with six losses including a 59-0 bloodbath versus the Patriots. There hasn’t been a downturn like this as long as I can remember, and Titans fans are not happy.
There have been some bright spots, including two straight wins to break their losing streak, but the damage is already done.
Chris Johnson Explodes
For as bad as the Titans season has been, Chris Johnson has been just the opposite. He has racked up a 6+ yards per carry average as well as seven total TDs on his way to 959 rushing yards so far. He has had two games already where he has rushed for 200 yards, and is the only reason why the season hasn’t been a complete failure for Tennessee. Chris Johnson is showing with every attempt that he is worthy of consideration with the top backs in the league, and is not showing any signs of stopping.
The Lions Win a Game
It took a long, long time, but thanks to a good game from #1 pick Matthew Stafford, the Lions broke their streak. It was against a struggling Washington Redkins team, but a win is a win. They have had trouble getting win number two under their belts, but there is more promise now with a player like Stafford taking the snaps. It also has hurt that both Stafford and stand out receiver Calvin Johnson have missed games, but at least things are looking up.
Drew Brees and the Saints Continue Right Where They Left Off
The Saints are undefeated in week nine for the first time since the 60s, and Drew Brees is in MVP form. Last year, Brees was just a few yards short of setting the all-time single season passing record, and he hasn’t done anything to hint that he won’t be there again this year. The Saints are now the team to beat in the NFC, but it won’t be an easy run. They still have a few games left that could separate the men from the boys: but as of now, they are at the top looking down.
Peyton Manning Looks Like an MVP Again
A few years ago, Manning set the record for touchdown passes in a single season, and won the MVP. Last year, he did it again, though for he faced a lot more hurdles. This year he looks like he is back to his former self, playing like master on the field. He is second in the league in yardage and TDs, and the Colts are 8-0. Manning is looking like he is primed to win his second Super Bowl, and he may take home MVP number four in the process.
Percy Harvin and Mark Sanchez Take the League by Storm
Every year, there are a few rookies that look like they are in line for greatness, putting up good numbers with relative ease. Last year it was Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco, this year it is Percy Harvin and Mark Sanchez. Harvin is a key cog in the Vikings first place NFC North record, returning two kicks for TDs, and catching three others. He also has a KR avg that is second in the league, in addition to his 28 catches.
Mark Sanchez has had a similar experience, even though his team doesn’t have the wins to show for it. He looks poised in the pocket, he makes veteran plays, and he plays with the tenacity of a champion. Sanchez may have thrown 10 interceptions, but he has 11 total touchdowns to make up for it. For a rookie QB with limited college experience, he is playing way above expectations.
Midseason Awards
MVP: Drew Brees
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Percy Harvin
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Brian Cushing
Breakout Player of the Year: Chris Johnson
Playoff Teams:
Minnesota
New Orleans
Dallas
Philadelphia
San Fransisco
Arizona
New England
Indianapolis
Pittsburgh
Cincinnati
Denver
San Diego
Super Bowl Picks:
AFC: Indianapolis
NFC: Dallas
CHAMPION: Indianapolis
We are far from over with stories from the 2009 season, but it’s already been a wild ride that gets me excited each and every week. Personally, I am hoping that my Vikings will finally make it to and win the Super Bowl, but with teams like New Orleans and Dallas running around, nothing is a safe bet. Maybe when all is said and done, it will seem commonplace to have this much action in one go around, but right now, I’m happy to just sit back and take it all in.
Adam Gellman runs the collecting blog Sports Cards Uncensored, and has been a collector of all things sports for over 15 years. To see more of his work, visit www.sportscardsuncensored.com (warning: strong language!).
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