Tuesday Packer Hits: Family Night, Favre!, and Gruden

by Brandon on May 19, 2009 7:00 AM CDT in Green Bay Packers News

Begin the countdown to August 8th! That's when 'Packers Family Night' has been scheduled. That should be the first televised appearance of the 2009 Packers. Usually it's on NFL Network, if you're so lucky to have it available on your cable provider. At least it will be available to Comcast customers since they've worked out a deal with the NFL Network (hopefully).
The urge to play, and to kick some ass, is so great that QB Brett Favre will undergo shoulder surgery on his throwing arm. If completely tearing his right biceps tendon to relive the pain when he throws doesn't work, then he would need additional surgery, which I bet he won't undergo.
Our long national nightmare is over; Tony Kornheiser is out, Jon Gruden is in on Monday Night Football. Obviously getting rid of Tony is a good idea, but I'm really interested to hear Gruden in action. Tirico is just you're standard announcer, but Jaws is good. He's a real student of the game. If Gruden can announce like an offensive coordinator, breaking down the formations, etc., to go along with what Jaws is already bringing to the game, they might be a great team. Of course, that is making the huge assumption that Gruden will actually be good.
Speaking of students of the game; Philadelphia's defensive coordinator Jim Johnson is one of the best. He's the master of the blitz. Unfortunately he's taking a leave of absense while he undergoes treatments for cancer. I hope the treatments go well.
GM Jerry Angelo confirms that the Bears are not interested in WR Plaxico Burress. They could really use a good receiver, but Burress isn't as good as his rep. He's really inconsistent; just look at his last full season (2007) when he had 70 catches, 1,025 yards, and 12 TDs overall, but he was held for under 50 yards in nine regular season games. I bet there were a lot of incompletions thrown his way. In addition, he's a lousy teammate. He wouldn't provide them much help.

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Now he doesn't want surgery

At this point whenever a story comes out about Brett Favre you can set your watch to how long it will be until the exact opposite is reported. I look forward to the next story and next contradicting story that will undoubtedly follow shortly.

Frye is honestly gotta be one of the top 10 3rd Stringers in all of the NFL right now--colbyb

by verno329 on May 19, 2009 8:05 AM CDT reply actions

I Suspect His Attempt To Avoid Surgery Is A Result Of His Drug Addiction

Since he almost died once under surgery, I suppose it’s understandable that he doesn’t want to go under the knife again and risk a relapse of his addiction to painkillers (which he’d probably have to take post-op). Of course, if he’s not willing to do what it takes to get himself into the best possible condition to perform well for his team, you really have to question his motivation for wanting to play. Personally, I think the guy’s just an attention whore to the nth degree.

Predictions for 2009

1. Todd Haley's going to struggle with managing his staff in his rookie year as head coach.
2. The Lions will draft Matt Stafford, the Rams will draft Jason Smith, and the Chiefs will draft either Aaron Curry or Eugene Monroe.
3. Maurice Carthon will be the most hated man on the Chiefs' coaching staff within two years.
4. Larry Johnson has already played his last meaningful game for the Kansas City Chiefs. He's gone before the 2009 season starts.

by UCrawford on May 19, 2009 12:41 PM CDT up reply actions

great point

I think you have to question his motivation to begin with, especially his complete avoidance of any off-season activities. I remember how often he has said that he knows he can play on Sundays he just doesn’t know if he can put in the work during the week. That will probably be his next step. “I don’t want to practice but I’ll definitely be there on Sunday. Come on, I’m Brett freakin’ Favre!” And all of the Favre defenders will scream that you can’t stop a guy from doing what he loves to do.

Frye is honestly gotta be one of the top 10 3rd Stringers in all of the NFL right now--colbyb

by verno329 on May 19, 2009 1:32 PM CDT up reply actions

There's Fewer And Fewer Of Those Defenders Left

Fanboys of that ilk are notoriously fickle in their affections. :) As evidenced by the shrinking number of sports journalists who are writing unadulterated puff pieces about Favre (and the growing number who are writing pieces questioning why he still wants to play).

Predictions for 2009

by UCrawford on May 19, 2009 3:34 PM CDT up reply actions

I Agree With Your Point About OTAs And Prep Work

Personally, I think Favre quit putting in a full effort at his job quite some time ago. He really wasn’t the same QB once Mike Holmgren left…as evidenced by his often terrible playoff performances and increased INTs. Can’t help but think a lot of that is that no coach after Holmgren really had the balls to challenge the guy (which is understandable) and so they catered to all the worst aspects of Favre’s personality. That’s what his yearly retirement games were really all about…Favre telling the Packers and the fans who was really in charge through emotional blackmail.

Frankly, while I respect Favre’s body of work, I wouldn’t have listed post-Holmgren Favre in the first 20-30 QBs I’d want running my team.

Predictions for 2009

by UCrawford on May 19, 2009 3:38 PM CDT up reply actions

Well it is a fact that he tailed off at the end of most seasons...

…but I don’t know if I would go that far. I agree that both Sherman and Rhodes (had almost completely blocked that year from my memory, btw) didn’t challenge Favre that much, if at all. I think that was one of his biggest issues with McCarthy, who did have the guts to tell him what he needed to improve. And you can’t argue with the results, he definitely improved in 2006 and showed much greater commitment to the team dynamic in 2007.

Frankly, while I respect Favre’s body of work, I wouldn’t have listed post-Holmgren Favre in the first 20-30 QBs I’d want running my team.

I understand your point but 2005 was the only season that I thought that he was playing that poorly. I remember watching his play that season and thinking “if this was Rodgers in there playing like this I would be calling for his head.” In no way am I blaming Favre entirely for the debacle that was 2005, but his play and decision-making was baffling to say the least that year.

Frye is honestly gotta be one of the top 10 3rd Stringers in all of the NFL right now--colbyb

by verno329 on May 19, 2009 6:02 PM CDT up reply actions

Its no secret that Favre walked all over Rhodes, Sherman and any of the QB coaches during those years w/ the possible exeption of McCarthy. Bevell was and still is a joke, as a QB coach who couldn’t get Favre in line… Favre completely walked all over Bevell, Sherman!!!

If you look at Favres career, he was BY FAR his best when he had a DOMINANT HC!!! Holmgren and McCarthy are really the only ones who held Favre accountable and made him put in the time and work during the week! By coincidence those were also the ONLY times he had really good backups! So he was prolly a little scared about being injured and replaced like he did to Majik!

Favres renaissance in 07 was almost completely due to McCarthy holding him accountable and Rodgers showing in camp that he could take the starting QB job if Favre was injured!!! Favre played outstanding in 07 but it wasn’t just due to his ability… McCarthy’s coaching and Rodgers ability pushed Favre to push himself ALOT!!!

by Strohman on May 20, 2009 1:32 AM CDT up reply actions

“So he was prolly a little scared about being injured and replaced like he did to Majik!”

In the past, Stroh, he has as much as said that the memory of how he got his job is among his greatest motivators.

The Bears still suck!

by NorthStarr on May 21, 2009 12:25 AM CDT up reply actions

Give me a break

Come on guys, his records and stats say it all. I havent heard (have you) him say at all that he would like to return to football, or have I missed a HUGE press conference somewhere?

by favre4evr on May 20, 2009 10:15 PM CDT up reply actions

thats the issue

he is incapable of saying in either direction what he is going to do. And his records and stats do say an awful lot…but that doesn’t say it all. If you or I had been truly great at our respective jobs for years and years and had the track record to prove it, but then treated the people who had supported you for all those years like dogsh*t because you had a personal beef with the boss, do you think everyone would say “Come on guys, his records and stats say it all. Give him a break?”

Frye is honestly gotta be one of the top 10 3rd Stringers in all of the NFL right now--colbyb

by verno329 on May 21, 2009 7:55 AM CDT up reply actions

How ill-spoken about a serious disease

Addiction is not something to point fun at. But then again I guess if your a judgemental, ignorant, attention-getting person I would expect no less from you UCrawford. You are truly the #1 ass of the day.

by favre4evr on May 20, 2009 8:18 PM CDT up reply actions