A Living Legend Retires

A legend has decided hang up his helmet.

Brett Favre, after playing 17 seasons with the Green Bay Packers, will not be returning for his 18th season.

There are players that transcend the game. They are bigger than the game itself.

Favre was that type of player. On the football field he was less than a god, more than a man.

He is the type of quarterback you think about when you say "franchise quarterback."

The Green Bay Packers were already an team considered to be part of "America's teams," but with Favre in Lambeau for 17 seasons it only raised the mystique of the franchise.

People rooted for Favre when their teams were not in the playoffs. They rooted for Favre to break records. They rooted for Favre because he was a warrior.

He was blue collar. He was America's quarterback. Down to Earth ... a man that we could all see ourselves hanging out with in a local watering hole, at the Home Depot, or at the neighborhood barbeque.

In his last season his energy on the field made him look 24 again, not 38. It was a thing of beauty.

What it did for sports fans was rejuvenate our souls. Watching Favre act young again brought out hope and memories for those who once had those glory days, whether long or short.

It made us believe we could act young again. It reminded us why we play sports in the first place. The joy, the innocence, the passion.

Favre is football. Favre is the NFL. Favre is the Green Bay Packers.

Favre will forever live one.

Some highlights of his career (from Chicago Tribune, via the AP):

Sept. 13, 1992, at Tampa Bay. Favre completes his first NFL pass -- to himself. A deflected pass lands in Favre's hands, and he is tackled for a 7-yard loss. Favre completes eight of 14 passes for 73 yards.

Sept. 20, 1992, vs. Cincinnati at Lambeau Field. Replaces injured starter Don Majkowski in the first quarter, and never looks back. Favre leads two scoring drives in the final eight minutes of the game. His 35-yard touchdown pass to Kitrick Taylor with 13 seconds remaining gives the Packers a come-from-behind 24-23 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Nov. 15, 1992, vs. Philadelphia in Milwaukee. Despite sustaining a first-degree separation of his left shoulder early in the game, Favre leads the Packers to a come-from-behind 27-24 victory. Reggie White, then a defensive end for the Eagles, would later say the toughness Favre showed was a factor in his decision to sign with Green Bay as a free agent in the offseason.

Jan. 8, 1994, at Detroit. With the Packers trailing 24-21 in the final minute of a Wild Card playoff game, Favre rolls to his left and throws across his body, completing a 40-yard pass to Sterling Sharpe on the other side of the field with 55 seconds remaining to give the Packers a 28-24 victory.

Oct. 31, 1994, at Chicago. Playing with a severely bruised hip in a driving rainstorm at Soldier Field, Favre rushes for a career-high 58 yards -- including a 36-yard touchdown in the second quarter when Favre leaped over a Bears defender -- and leads the Packers to a 33-6 victory.

Dec. 18, 1994, vs. Atlanta in Milwaukee. With the Packers needing a victory to keep their playoff chances alive, Favre's diving 9-yard touchdown run with 14 seconds left gives the Packers a 21-17 victory over the Falcons in the final football game at County Stadium.

Sept. 11, 1995, at Chicago. Favre throws a 99-yard touchdown pass to Robert Brooks -- becoming only the eighth QB in league history to do so -- and the Packers beat the Bears 27-24.

Nov. 12, 1995, vs. Chicago at Lambeau. Playing with a severely sprained left ankle that forced him to the bench in the previous week's game at Minnesota and would eventually require offseason surgery, Favre throws five touchdown passes in a 35-28 victory over the Bears.

Dec. 24, 1995, vs. Pittsburgh at Lambeau. Favre rolls out and is hit hard by three Steelers defenders, forcing the Packers to call timeout and sending Favre to the sidelines coughing up blood. He returns to throw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Mark Chmura on the next play. The Packers' 24-19 victory clinches the division title.

Jan. 6, 1996, at San Francisco. Favre completes 21 of 28 passes for 299 yards and two touchdowns as the Packers knock the defending Super Bowl champion 49ers out of the playoffs with a 27-17 victory.

Jan. 4, 1997, vs. San Francisco at Lambeau. Playing in rough weather conditions, Favre completes only 11 of 15 passes for 79 yards, but the Packers roll to a 35-14 playoff victory over the 49ers.

Jan. 12, 1997, vs. Carolina at Lambeau Field. Favre is 19-of-29 for 292 yards in the Packers' NFC Championship game victory over the Panthers, 30-13.

Jan. 26, 1997. In Super Bowl XXXI at the Louisiana Superdome. Favre is 14-of-27 for 246 yards and no interceptions to beat the New England Patriots 35-21 -- the Packers' first championship in 29 years. Favre throws a 54-yard touchdown pass to Andre Rison on his first throw of the game. Later, he throws a Super Bowl-record 81-yard touchdown pass to Antonio Freeman.

Jan. 11, 1998, at San Francisco. Trudging through the mud in sloppy San Francisco, Favre is 16-of-27 for 222 yards and a touchdown as the Packers beat the 49ers 23-10 to advance to the Super Bowl for the second straight season, where they lose to the Denver Broncos 31-24.

Dec. 3, 2001, at Jacksonville. Favre throws for 362 yards and three touchdowns, but wins with his feet. Favre's 6-yard touchdown run with 1:30 remaining -- his first rushing touchdown in three years -- gives the Packers a come-from-behind 28-21 victory.

Nov. 2, 2003, at Minnesota. One game after breaking the thumb on his right hand, Favre throws three touchdowns in a 30-27 victory over the Vikings.

Dec. 22, 2003, at Oakland. Playing on Monday Night Football the day after his father, Irvin, died, Favre is 22-of-30 for 399 yards and four touchdowns as the Packers beat the Oakland Raiders 41-7.

Jan. 4, 2004, at Lambeau. Favre throws for 319 yards to get the Packers to overtime, and Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck -- Favre's former understudy -- proclaims after the coin flip that "We want the ball and we're gonna score!" They don't. Hasselbeck throws an interception that is returned for a touchdown and the Packers win 33-27 in overtime.

Nov. 14, 2004, vs. Minnesota at Lambeau Field. Favre throws four touchdown passes in a game for the 18th time in his career, but the Vikings rally to tie the game with 1:20 remaining. Favre drives the Packers to a last-second field goal and a 34-31 victory.

Dec. 31, 2006, at Chicago. Favre throws for 285 yards and a touchdown a 26-7 victory over the Bears, the No. 1 playoff seed in the NFC. Favre gets choked up in a television interview after the game, leading some to believe he had played his final game. But after once again mulling retirement, he decides to return.

Sept. 30, 2007, at Minnesota. Favre throws his record-breaking 421st career touchdown pass to Greg Jennings, breaking Dan Marino's career record in a 23-16 victory.

Oct. 29, 2007 at Denver. Favre throws an 82-yard touchdown to Greg Jennings on the first play from scrimmage in overtime, leading the Packers to a 19-13 victory.

Jan. 12, 2008 vs. Seattle at Lambeau. Favre frolics in heavy snow showers, hitting on three touchdown passes -- and hitting wide receiver Donald Driver with a snowball in a 42-20 Packers playoff romp.

Jan. 20, 2008 vs. New York Giants at Lambeau. Aside from a 90-yard touchdown to wide receiver Donald Driver, Favre generally struggles in subzero temperatures in the NFC Championship game. His interception in overtime sets up the Giants' game-winning field goal, and the Packers lose 23-20.

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My favorite moment was the Monday Night Football game in which Favre played the day after his father died.

What a performance with such a heavy heart. I tried to play a soccer game in a YMCA game a week after my father died and I could not concentrate one bit. This was in front of other players and two people watching.

I could only imagine going out on national television in the NFL the day after my father died.

That game was remarkable and I will always remember watching on that Monday evening.

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Records he holds as a quarterback:

Most AP NFL MVP awards: 3 (1995, 1996, 1997)
Most consecutive starts by a quarterback (NFL): 253 (275 including playoffs)
Most wins by a starting quarterback (NFL) regular season career: 160 (Regular season record: 160-93)
Most career passing touchdowns: 442
Most career passing yards: 61,655
Most career pass completions: 5,377
Most career pass attempts: 8,758
Most career interceptions thrown: 288
Most career games with at least three touchdowns: 63

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May be so lucky to be blessed with another Favre in the generations to come...

NFL Week 8 Is Over

NFL week 8 is officially over, and it ended in great fashion last night with a 19-13 victory for the Green Bay Packers over the Denver Broncos at Invesco Field.

Trailing 13-10 in the fourth quarter, Denver QB Jay Cutler led the Denver Broncos down the field to set up a Jason Elam 21-yard field goal as time expired to tie the game.

The bad part for the Broncos was that the Packers won the coin toss giving Green Bay's future Hall of Famer QB Brett Favre a chance to shine once again.

Favre connected on an 82-yard touchdown with Greg Jennings on the first offensive play of overtime to take the game. Vintage and current Favre all in one package. Any questions about his arm strength were obviously shut up as he also hit James Jones on a deep throw in the first half.

Favre now has 18 Monday night football wins in his career and helped the Packers move to 6-1 on the season.

I am not even mad that the Packers won (I had the Broncos winning this one), because it was a great game, and an excellent way to end week 8.

Favre is so fun to watch it is hard not to root for the 38-year-old.

The only disappointment on the night was the celebrity guest in the booth with the ESPN announcers. I am usually not a fan of the segment, but was especially excited that Vince Vaughn would be joining the crew.

I was disappointed because the game was so good, and the announcers were so into it, that Vaughn was only asked a few questions. He probably talked for a total of 30 seconds in the time he was in the booth.

Oh well, I guess I will have to watch Swingers and Made this morning to make up for it.

Week 8 record: 10-3
Overall record (started in week 3): 51-33

UCLA Bruins football, way to continue your consistency of winning a big game one week, and flopping against an inferior opponent the next week.

November 4 is this Sunday.

Did You Know?

This week's edition brings you a "Did you know?" regarding Peyton Manning and Tom Brady (who sadly have become good friends).

Manning and Brady both have a chance to make history with the same feat this coming Sunday in their respective games. Both players can become the first QBs to beat 31 NFL teams, something Brett Favre has yet to accomplish. (Side note: although Favre does have a chance to join them if he beats Kansas City next week. Assuming Manning and Brady win.)

So you see, as much as we would like to look ahead to the Colts-Patriots matchup, we have a reason to watch both squads this weekend.

Does anyone else want to see Brady and Manning hate each other? I hate the fact that I love Manning but he does not hate Brady like I do. Kill, kill, kill.

NFL Week 4 Is Done

Week 4 ended last night and it was another great weekend of NFL football.
First to my picks... I had an astonishing record of 5-9 over the weekend, to bring my season record to 14-16 on the year so far (I started making my picks late). It did make be feel better that the ESPN analysts had similar records this week due to the wacky weekend that it was.

Detroit scored 34 points in the fourth quarter against the "stingy" defense of the Chicago Bears to complete another comeback win for John Kitna and the Lions. The Lions set a record for most points in the final quarter. Brian Griese wanted to keep the Bears fans at ease with a smooth transition at the quarterback position... so he played like the QB he replaced and threw three interceptions on the day.

Dante Culpepper went back to Miami and played like he was back in Minnesota handling business by leading the Oakland Raiders to a 35-17 victory. He rushed for three touchdowns and threw for two more. Culpepper pointed to his surgically repaired knee when he rushed for a TD, showing the Dolphin personnel and fans that his knee is fine.

Poor Eagles... they should institute a rule that they must play in those horrid yellow and baby blue jerseys all year long, because their normal jerseys are just not cutting it. After putting up 56 points on the Detroit Lions in week 3, the Eagles mustered a mere three points on the New York Giants in their 16-3 loss. Donovan McNabb has to be hurting, after being sacked 12 times, six of which were at the hands of Osi Umenyiora.

When was watching the game I told my uncle in the first half that "these have to be the worst offensive lines to play in the same game this season." Turns out that the Eagles wanted to outshine the Giants in that category.

San Diego Chargers fans are not feeling too good on the season so far, despite Shawn Merriman bringing back his "lights out" dance. The Chargers fell to 1-3 on the season even though the "lights out" dance was meant to revive the team. Chants of "Marty" could be heard in the stands once it was apparent that the Chargers would lose to the Kansas City Chiefs.

And the top story this week was Brett Favre breaking Dan Marino's record in career touchdown passes with 422 in his young career. He broke the record in the first quarter on a pass to receiver Greg Jennings, and added his second TD on the day in the fourth quarter, a 33-yard pass to James Jones. The Green Bay Packers moved to 4-0 on the year.

The media is eating up the Packers season because Favre was supposed to be washed up, but instead is playing like a 21-year-old kid getting his chance to prove himself. Not that the NFL needs any help with their ratings, but this is a good thing for the league. Despite all of the players actions off the field, the league finds ways to keep the fans minds on what is going on directly on the field.

There are four teams that are still undefeated: Cowboys, Colts, Packers, and Patriots.
There are three teams that are winless: Dolphins, Rams, and Saints.

Laurence Maroney did NOT play last night, costing me a win in fantasy football. Yes, I am a fantasy nerd.

Week 3 Is Over

Week 3 ended tonight and my NFL picks were less than stellar.

I went 9-7 on my picks for week 3 and I am sorry if you took my advice on the games (which I doubt you did).
San Diego looks like they are ready to have a ugly mess in their locker room. LT does not look like a happy camper out there on the field, and Marty Schottenheimer does not seem like he was the problem.

I am going to say it again: Brett Favre is just plain fun to watch. I am glad he did not walk away from the game after the Packers posted a 4-12 record in the 2005 season. I need to go to Lambeau.

Pictured here is Miami Dolphins starting running back Ronnie Brown who had a wonderful game on Sunday. Brown rushed for 112 yards with two touchdowns and caught six passes for 99 receiving yards adding another touchdown for the day. The best news? Brown is on my fantasy football roster and I benched him this past week because he was not getting all the carries. Awesome. I am going to start him next week and he will promptly rush for 39 yards.

NFL Week 3 Picks

Each week I will provide you with my football picks for the week (starting a couple weeks late) and keep a running tally of how I do during the year.

Please feel free to comment, make fun of, or provide your own picks in the comment section.

Before I begin, it is great to hear that Kevin Everett's doctor expects him to walk within weeks, if not sooner.

Oh and I posted this picture because I am rooting for Brett Favre to have a great season. I want to see him go out on top. Definition of a warrior.

Detroit Lions @ Philadephia Eagles - I am taking the Lions in this one because Kitna is warrior status as well. Lions.

Miami Dolphins @ NY Jets - The matchup of two winless teams, I pick the Jets to walk away with a victory. Jets.

Buffalo Bills @ New England Patriots - Easy pick. New England.

Arizona Cardinals @ Baltimore Ravens - Leinart, have fun against the Ravens defense. Ravens take it.

St. Louis Rams @ Tampa Bay Bucs - Tampa Bay impressed me last week so I am going to go with the home team. Bucs.

San Francisco 49ers @ Pittsburgh Steelers - Mike Tomlin moves to 3-0 as the new head coach. Steelers.

Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans - No Andre Johnson hurts the Texans chances to move to 3-0 to start the season. Colts.

San Diego Chargers @ Green Bay Packers - I think LT is ready to bust out and the Chargers will benefit. Chargers.

Minnesota Vikings @ Kansas City Chiefs - KC's offense has scored a total of 13 points and will not get much more in this game. Vikings.

Cleveland Brown @ Oakland Raiders - Cleveland faces a defense better than Cincinnati's and Lane Kiffin gets his first win. Oakland.

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Denver Broncos - Jacksonville's offense looks to get back on track, but the physical game favors the Broncos. Denver.

Cincinnati Bengals @ Seattle Seahawks - The Bengals come back strong after an embarrassing loss in Cleveland. Cincinnati.

NY Giants @ Washington Redskins - Look for Tom Coughlin to be on the hot seat after this game and Jason Campbell is looking strong. Washington.

Carolina Panthers @ Atlanta Falcons - The Panthers can score more than the Falcons that equals a win. Carolina.

Dallas Cowboys @ Chicago Bears - Tony Romo and TO will find enough ways to score against the Bears defense; the same cannot be said about Rex Grossman. Dallas.

Tennessee Titans @ New Orleans Saints - Being at home will give the Saints the boost they need to get straight. New Orleans.

Week 2 Football (Day Late Edition)

The Redskins moved to 2-0 after beating the Philadelphia Eagles 20-12 on Monday night football. It was a good thing Jason Campbell found Chris Cooley in the end zone last night, because it pushed me over my week 2 opponent 121-120 in an important divisional matchup in fantasy football.

Thank you to the NFL teams and players who opened their mouths regarding the New England Patriots; like I said , you have woken a sleeping giant. They completey outplayed the Chargers on Sunday and looked crazy scary to back up their week 1 victory.

Brett Favre became the winningest QB ever after the Packers win over the NY Giants. Favre is fun to watch. To see the 37-year old celebrate around on the field after plays is a sight to see. He is the living definition of a football player and it is a pleasure to be able to watch him play the game.

Cleveland and Cincinnati decided to leave their defenses at home and see how many points they could muster between them. They only put up 96 points in the 51-45 Cleveland win in which Derek Anderson threw five touchdown passes (yes, that is correct), Jamal Lewis rushed for 216 yards, and Carson Palmer threw six touchdown passes.

Chad Johnson followed up good on his promise to jump into the Dawg Pound at Cleveland Browns Stadium. It was quite entertaining, especially since a Browns fan threw beer on Ocho Cinco and the television telecast caught a fan throwing up the bird in his face.

Here is a not so great quality video of the jump, but shows a good slow motion view:


There were other entertaining games that you have probably already heard about, so I will refrain from posting what you already know.

Coming up this week: the first NFL picks for the weekend on First to Third!
*Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any gambling actions that you involve yourself in, and do not condone sports betting. *Cough*