Belichick of the Week

I realize that I am awarding it far, far too early.  But this one I like a lot.  Upon being asked about any concerns he had about TB's health after the car accident yesterday:

“I always worry about the health of our team. There is nothing more important than the health of our team. Without players, you don’t have a team.”

Genius.

Also, anyone else notice just how rusty and old Favre looked last night?

Sport writer's contempt for Rusty Old Man thinly veiled

Sage Rosenfels was traded to the NY Giants.

Why is this important?  Well, two years ago, he played for the Houston Texans and did a decent job.  Then he was traded to Minnesota, where he thought he had a shot at the top position.  This thought faded the minute that they acquired Favre, or, as stated by Barry Wilner, "After an offseason of working out and learning the system, however, Rosenfels’ big shot was dashed when Favre waltzed in to take over."

I love it.

And we're on again, Rusty Old Man-style

Apparently, the Rusty Old Man showed up today in Minnesota via a private jet decked out in the Vikings' colors.  Cameras were live on the scene to capture the whole thing.  Wow.  Just, wow.  I laughed really hard when I read the headline.

In other QB news, Eli is still not feeling 100% (and it was 12 stitches).  He might not play the next pre-season game.  If you're not sure, then you shouldn't play him in a pre-season game, seeing as how it counts for nothing.  Two words: plantar fasciitis.

Do you know what other story has been cracking me up this season?  The Haynesworth saga in DC.  First, it took him, like, 8 tries to get through the conditioning test.  Then apparently today, he was taken out because he was sick.  That's some good spending 'way too much money on a player stuff there.

Chris Chelios comes out of retirement

Perhaps we should dub Chris Chelios the Junior Seau of the NHL. Except that Chelios is 48 years old. Think about that for a minute. An NHL defenseman who is 48 years old. That is insane.

Anyway, Chelios is now playing for the Thrashers and hopes to help them in their quest for the Stanley Cup and all of that jazz. However, I still think he's nuts.

48. Years. Old.

I remember this guy from when I watched the Montreal Canadiens as a kid. Almost everyone else that I remember from these days is now a coach/GM/other type of office job position. Pretty sure he is the only active player.

In talking to the press, Chelios made the following statement: '"In hockey every game is a playoff game," he said. "It's a tight race."

No.

There are 80 games or something, dude. Not every game is a playoff game. I could see putting that argument forward for maybe the NFL, since there are only 16 games. But when you are playing 80 games, they are not equally important.

Oh, and here's a fascinating statistic: of the 26 seasons that Chelios has played, his team has made the playoffs 24 times. Pretty amazing.

Choke of Favral proportions

Tonight, I almost feel sorry for Brett Favre.

Almost.

Because that was painful. First, what a completely stupid penalty the Vikings took. Too many men in the huddle? That is a Don Cherry move! Except that instead of leading to the game-winning score, it put them out of field goal range.

Then, he threw what has got to be the interception to end all interceptions. Now as you may recall, the last time that Favre made it to the NFC Championship game (2007), he also gave up a critical interception, leading to the Giants' win. Damn you, Brett Favre. Damn you for that interception.

I was pulling for the Saints, so I am glad at the result. But I have just one word to describe what happened there from a Vikings standpoint: ouch.

I will feel sorry for him right up until the moment he starts talking about coming out of retirement. Then my pity shall dissipate.

Game of Choke: who shall reign supreme?

This weekend, football fans have the pleasure of watching two of the greatest playoff chokers in recent memory play each other: Tony 'Fugly Beret' Romo (Dallas) vs. Brett 'Retire?' Favre (Minnesota). Favre brings decades -- literally decades -- of choking experience with him, but Romo has been the most consistent for choking late in recent years. The question is: who will choke and lose?

I do have to say that the Viking losses in December were less about Favre choking (unlike his time with the Jets) than the rest of the team laying down and almost dying at times -- karma at its finest. However, I have faith that his experience with choking will serve him well here.

I'm feeling much better about our chances today

For some reason, I all of a sudden don't feel like we are doomed. A few possible hypotheses as to this sudden optimism:

1) We've been playing injured. (for instance, Tom's rib, shoulder, finger combo). Hopefully there is some time between now and the playoffs to recover.

2) Our record is now a respectable 9-5. So is Cincinnati's. And that seems like a good place to be.

3) While we thought Carolina would be an easy game, they then went and upset the Vikings this week. Now, you could point to the Vikings and say that there were some issues there (such as Favre refusing to be benched...classy), but the point is that they were capable of more than we allowed them.

4) Remaining games for Miami: Houston and Pittsburgh. Remaining games for the Jets: Colts and Cincinnati. I feel good about the possibility that both teams will lose at least one of these games.

Wouldn't it be great if the Colts made it to 15-0 then lost to Buffalo? Can you imagine? Ouch.

Saints 38, Patriots 17

We got beat. And how. Our secondary was chewed up, we didn't put together much of anything on offense, and it was a general mess. Even Gostkowski missed a field goal, which is pretty abnormal (admittedly, it was from the 50, so it was challenging).

So time to assess. We are a half hour from December and I've had my epiphany moment, like I did last year after the Steelers game. Here is my assessment. I think that we can beat almost anyone in the AFC this year. We did almost beat the Colts. The only other surging team I really see right now are the Chargers (sorry, Tennessee, I think it's going to be too little, too late). And so, were it to come down to it, I think that we would have a shot.

At the same time, I think that the NFC may have everyone in the AFC beat this year. There are the Saints. There are also the Vikings, who have come out of nowhere with Favre to be a dominant team. If the Saints or Vikings played the Colts, I have a feeling the NFC team would win. And so -- and you can read it here right now -- I think this is an NFC year.

At the same time, I'm not ready to discount the Patriots quite yet. Sure, elements of the secondary are weak, but not a disaster like last year (I am not bringing back the 'We need corners' tag quite yet). I am reminded of Arizona's game against us last year when we blew them out and we turned it around. It's not over, of course, until it is over, so there is still time to go. But right now, it sure seems to be more of an NFC year than an AFC one.

Iraqi detainees taunt Wisconsin soldiers; Favre as ammo

Apparently, some plucky lads from Wisconsin who are serving in Iraq decided to deck out the camp in Packer colors. This opened the door, of course, for the detainees to start heckling them about Favre's desertion to the Vikings. I have many questions:

1) How do they know about that?
2) How much detail do they know about that?
3) Did the soldiers allow the detainees to see either of the Packers/Vikings games this season? Let's hope not.
4) Do they make Aaron Rogers jokes too?
5) How did they react when the Packers lost to the Buccaneers?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Junior Seau has interview

Junior Seau is shilling his new show (which premieres in December?) and giving press interviews. He was asked if he would be returning to the Patriots this year, which would give him an almost Favre-esque status of three straight years coming out of retirement. His answer was sure, but later in the season, since he is a rusty old man.

However, the best answer he gave in the interview pertained to his answer when asked about Tom Brady losing his temper on the field last week:

"Tom always has the fire. He walks around, even when he probably brushes his teeth, and he's thinking of facing a challenge."

Tom Brady, plaque fighter par excellence.

Dramatic ending for Vikes and a what if?

The Vikings won today on an extremely dramatic pass to the end zone from Favre. It was a long one. It was one of those ones you assume will get intercepted when you see Favre throwing it. Yet it wasn't, and Greg Lewis came up with it (if that name sounds familiar, the reason will be clear soon enough), barely managing to keep his feet in bounds and winning the game for the Vikings. It was exciting. Trust me. Rusty Old Man looked like he was going to need a nap immediately following.

Meanwhile, over in Foxborough, the Patriots came up with a great drive in the first quarter only to get it to the end zone, then have the touchdown nullified because Joey Galloway couldn't keep his feet in bounds on what seemed like a pretty routine play.

Greg Lewis is the WR the Patriots cut prior to the start of the season in favor of Galloway.

I shall say no more on this matter. Although I think that Galloway pretty much lost Tom Brady's trust today with some genuinely bad plays on what should have been easy completions. Tom seemed kind of upset (especially with a classic moment, shown in slow motion, where he yelled 'HOW F–––ING HARD IS THAT?!?' right at him after a particularly frustrating play).

Rusty old man retires (no, not that one), plans to drive for NASCAR (no, not that one)

Patrice Brisebois, aka Rusty Old Man of the Canadiens' defense, has retired. He even thanked Jacques Demers (or something) for coaching him to his only Stanley Cup in 1993. Remember back then? That seems like so long ago when you write the numbers '1993' out. And I guess it was long ago (although clearly not as long as, say, to pick a year at random, 1967).

I remember in 1995 when Demers was fired. I was living in Montreal and every single newspaper had this as the front page story. Those were good days, we thought, because Les Canadiens were not playing very well. In came Mario Tremblay and Les Canadiens started well under him. Then Tremblay left Roy in for too long in a game and poof. He was off to Colorado the next day after vowing never to play for Les Canadiens again. Quel désastre! I remember it as if it were yesterday. Although the tragedy of that incident has since been supplanted by other moments in sports, such as the 2003 ACLS ending and leading the pack, Tom Brady on the ground, clutching his knee.

Random fact: Mario Tremblay's nickname during his hockey-playing career was 'le bleuet bionique,' which translates to 'the bionic blueberry.' Trust me, I'm trying to find the origin for that and so far turning up nil.

Back to Brisebois: he plans to drive for NASCAR Canada. I didn't even know that there was a NASCAR Canada. What's more, I think that we need to rethink classifying something as a 'sport' if you can retire as a rusty old man from one professional league, then go compete in another.

Patriots coaches = maybe not the only ones who 'cheat'

And the irony is palpable...Mangini is being investigating for failing to declare Favre's injury last year:

"The NFL is investigating Mangini’s role in the Jets’ failure to list quarterback Brett Favre’s arm problem on injury reports last season. Mangini coached the Jets during Favre’s one season in New York before he was fired after the team collapsed down the stretch."

Is there not a 'Rusty Old Man' declaration you have to make?

Here, Mangini clearly failed to learn from Belichick. Always put 'shoulder, probable.' No problems later.

NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

I realize I've used this title before, but it needs to come back. Because Mr. Comeback-then-falter may also be coming back. That's right. Favre is apparently talking to the Vikings.

We probably all guessed that this was in the cards when the Vikings had an injury at QB. But NO! Don't let this be! If you weren't ready to play a month ago, Brett, you're not ready now!

Now he's not

(I'm back in the States so time to take control of this blog again!).

No Favre with the Vikings this year. He claims to have figured out that he is too old and rusty to get through another season. This leaves them in a bit of an awkward situation since there are two QBs who were about to be left behind for Favre. Now they get to play. And all this a week before their training camp starts.

Is it just me, or did the Patriots start training, like, months ago?

In baseball news, the Red Sox and Yankees are battling it out for top of the AL East. More importantly, I will get to see the Red Sox three times in the next month, once at Fenway. Yay!

NOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Still abroad, still not checking in so much, but this required a special post.

Favre, indeed, is considering playing for the Vikings.

Just DON'T! The time has come. Let it go.

Rusty Old Man Favre....he still may be back

Rumors continue to fly about Favre maybe coming back. Or maybe not. Either way, he needs to not come back, really.

The Hater Nation's take on the Vikings trying to get Favre: 'The Vikings could be playing a very dangerous game of chicken. Teams are now trying to follow the Giants model of using a horrible quarterback to counter-balance a strong running game and defense. But that's not a long-term recipe for success.'

Here we go again *insert rolly-eye smiley here*

Now Favre is thinking about re-coming out of retirement (if that is, indeed, the word) and playing for the Minnesota Vikings. You may recall that last year, before signing with the Jets, there were some rumors that Favre was tampered with by the Vikings. This time he is apparently just going to come back and play again.

*insert series of rolly-eye smileys here*

We're not still pretending he's the back-up, right?

Montreal won! Again! Yes! Two in a row! Amazing, I know.

Jaroslav Halak got his first shut-out of the year in the 3-0 win against the Canucks (take THAT!). I would say that he has now earned his starter title, almost like he replaced the quarterback. I mean, he's clearly on the game, Carey Price is not.

Apparently Montreal players should be associated with purported organized criminals more often? I don't know. But keep up the turn-around!

The announcers noted that there was a key play by Patrice Brisebois to keep the shut-out intact near the end of the third. Also, does anyone else find it sad that the announcer at the Bell Centre says 'third' in a normal, English way now? It just destroys the whole fun of it really. Au moins on a toujours les Thrashers.

I hate to say, 'I told you so,' but...

Yeah, I so said this back in August:

'The Jets had gambled on salary-cap hell for one small window of a Super Bowl opportunity. At the time of the conversation, the GM suggested the Jets could be as much as $15 million-$20 million over the cap when the offseason arrived. And if the wager on Favre didn’t end in a serious run at a championship, the Jets would be in significant trouble. Why? Because the entire gamble would hang on Favre’s unpredictable and emotional nature at the end of a season. The free agent gluttony and willingness to put the team’s future into the hands of Favre was the NFL version of the Battle of the Bulge – one desperate and risky head-on run, hoping to break through to a championship. If the risk failed, it would mean imminent disaster.

Well, here the Jets are, coping with a veteran roster that has them pressed firmly against the salary cap, and with Favre’s retirement, no franchise quarterback in sight.'

I'm dying to know who they will actually get as QB. Rumors have suggested Jeff Garcia but that can't actually happen, right?