- 03:37 AM
- 11/22/09
I like football the way it is now. It has evolved and that is why the game is as popular as it is. I once had a discussion with a guy who said rugby and Australian rules football players were tougher than American football players because they did not get to wear pads. I tried to explain that the equipment was just as much of a weapon as it was protection, but he just wouldn't believe me.
Frankly I am getting tired of congress, and do gooders trying to fix something that does not need fixing. I am all for the league protecting players, but if you think football is too violent, don't watch it and don't play it. No activity is perfectly safe. More people die in bath tubs, or five gallon water buckets. Baseball should go to nerf balls and plastic bats, auto racing should have a top allowed speed of 20 mph, trees in ski resorts should be replaced with big pillows, and rock climbing should be outlawed.
Maybe we should just accept that life is dangerous and the best thing anybody can do is weigh the risks and rewards of the activities we participate in and make informed decisions about what risks we are and are not willing to take. I have to assume all football players are aware that you can get hurt playing football and choose to play anyway.
We have a congress that is busy looking into how to minimize concussions to multi millionaire football players in the NFL but continues to allow the sale of cigarettes which kill over 500,000 people in the USA every year. I think our priorities are a little screwed up. Maybe we should just try to figure out how to screen radical muslim fanatics out of our military so they don't shoot people and spend less time worrying about someone bumping their head in a football game. A perfect example of political correctness gone crazy.
Maybe we should spend some tax dollars on signs for every bridge that say " base jumping is very dangerous, should you choose to jump please note your relatives will be held responsible to shovel up your remains and remove them from the area. Have a nice time"
I guess the NHL made a mistake requiring players to wear helmets.
posted by Atheist at 02:00 PM on November 11
Well in this day and age of equal rights, I think think the sex of the person you assault is irrelevant.
This guy is obviously an ass and needs to be removed from his coaching position. He has anger issues, self control issues, and most importantly he is a lousy coach which is reflected by his record.
posted by Atheist at 01:41 PM on November 04
I also think this is stupid. In a freak accident even a line drive from a wood bat can kill someone.
In the year 2012 All future hall of famer Nolan Ryan types must wear a warning jersey stating "this pitcher throws really fast and at least 8 mph faster than the average pitcher"
All not so great fielders must wear a warning jersey stating "this fielder ain't so great, do not hit ball hard in this direction"
Speed limit signs as runners leave the batters box that state " in the event of an accidental collision, running as fast as you can can possibly cause injury to your self or others. Please watch your speed. Do not exceed 8 mph."
AND of course all kittens sold at pet stores will come with a very stern warning " putting this cat in a microwave oven can cause serious injury or death to the animal. In the event of accidental cat in microwave, use caution and wear eye protection when removing cat as it may explode in your stupid freaking face. Dial 1-800-stupidumbass immediately for assistance.
posted by Atheist at 03:36 PM on October 30
Yes I wonder what kind of job a not too bright washed up basketball player can get that will pay enough to make restitution on millions of dollars in debt. The car wash? @$10 per hour x 40 hours per week X 100 years less living expenses........he will be out of prison faster.
posted by Atheist at 06:38 PM on October 29
There is a difference between writing a NSF checks and knowingly writing checks you cannot cover. That is fraud and that is why he is being pursued criminally and was arrested. The very definition of a criminal is one who commits crimes. Maybe not a violent criminal but a criminal nontheless.
The crime is not that he blew all his money. That is stupidity and he was free to excercise it. The crime is after he ran out of money, he continued to defraud people and businesses out of goods and services he knew he could not pay for. You can go to jail for that.
One thing is clear here, and that is in order to stay out of jail, he will probably declare bankruptcy, and the courts will decide how to liquidate any assets to pay creditor claims. The DA's in the various juristictions will decide the extent of criminal charges to be filed. There will soon be an auction of Rolexes, Bentleys, Houses, etc. I hear there will be some good deals on custom tailored suits, if you happen to be 6'8" and of the proper weight and size.
posted by Atheist at 03:52 PM on October 29
I read the article. There is no excuse. He is just plain stupid and from his mother's comments so is she. No sympathy is warranted. As his mother says he is entitled to live his life the way he wants. He has chosen to blow a one in 100 million opportunity if favor of poverty. Now he can live the life he chooses one of a broke criminal. Personally I think he is getting just what he deserves. When you are incredibly lucky and given every opportunity anybody could ever dream of, then squander it, well no sob story really cuts it.
Also I tend to dissagree with Weedy here, I don't see a generous nice guy. I see a selfish guy who spends his and other peoples money (criminally I might add) on a lavish, big shot life style of gambling, luxury and showing off, regardless of the consequenses to him or his family, with no regard for anybody else or the future.
posted by Atheist at 02:28 PM on October 29
0-6 is a terrible start but for a team that won 10 or 12 straight last year it seems a little early to give up. According to the some of the Patriot players, the Titans just seemed to totally give up in their game. If it were my decision I would field my best team for the next couple of games. If they can win a couple in a row then I would stay with the plan. Once they are statistically eliminated from the playoffs, then I would let Young take over and make the decisions regarding where they go from here. I just don't see how you can absolve the coaching staff of responsibility for a team that almost went undefeated last season, played the world champs on the road and lost by only 3 points in the opener, and by week 5 or 6 is throwing in the towel.
This coaching staff needs to make clear to all the players that their jobs are on the line if they don't give 100% effort on the field regardless of the win loss record. They need to play for pride, their market value as players, the future and playing their hardest is the best way to prevent injuries to themselves and their teamates. If this team does not win at least 6 or 8 games this season, I would fire the coaching staff and start over next year.
posted by Atheist at 05:11 PM on October 28
"Vince has won a lot of games for us," Adams told The Tennessean.
Well I think Vince has proven he can't read defenses, and doesn't throw the ball up to NFL calibre. He also has shown he can't cope well emotionally with being an NFL QB. If the Titans bet their future on this guy they can kiss being a contender good by for a long time.
The problem with the Titans is that they started the season as one of the top teams in the league, and based on their record last year, had one of the most difficult schedules to start a season.
First game a tough 3 pt loss to the world champ Steelers in Pittsburg. Second game a tough 3 pt loss again to the Texans at home. Third game a tough loss on the road to at that time the very hot NY Jets. Fourth game a second in a row on the road and a loss to the Jaguars. Fifth game they get beat by the Colts at home (no real shame there). Then on the road to NE where they get clobbered early and essentially give up not just for the game but for the season.
I don't see how starting a QB who has thrown 5 times this year without a completion is going to save them. They really need to look at the coaching staff that has essentially taken a team that won 14 games last year to an 0-6 start. Of course from what I can tell they are in love with Fisher so therefore Kerry Collins gets thrown under the bus. Well I don't see how you can blame a QB or make a QB change and solve the teams problems when their defense gave up an NFL record 5 TD passes in one quarter and allowed 59 points in a game.
Maybe they need a coach that can instill the fight and pride back to the team and salvage some wins so they can build on it for next season.You would think that they should be a very dangerous opponent for teams for the rest of this year as certainly they have nothing to loose. If I were the coach I would be playing a very unpredictable game plan as sometimes a team with nothing to loose and everything to gain can be the most dangerous to play against.
posted by Atheist at 02:36 PM on October 28
What is the world coming to? I can understand why sports organizations as a rule are trying to prevent Performance Enhancing Drug use. But why care about Performance Reducing Drug use? Obviously certain drugs can make you go from number 1 to number 141 in a relatively short time.
Whatever happened to personal freedom?
I agree with Weedy and can't understand why a guy like Agassi would resort to such a hillbilly / trailer trash recreational drug. Why not use the good stuff, if you are going to risk you career for it? I'm just sayin....
posted by Atheist at 12:36 PM on October 28
I am puzzled, he got his home run power by cheating and he had a lifetime batting average of .263, how does this qualify him to be a hitting coach?
posted by Atheist at 05:21 PM on October 26
I really thought I had heard the Jerry Jones financed the entire stadium with his own money and private financing. My mistake.
I guess that makes Jerry Jones the smartest person in Texas. He gets almost a billion dollars from the tax payers to build a stadium he owns. That makes the people of Los Angeles look even smarter. Al Davis tried the same thing it just would not fly in LA.
posted by Atheist at 05:07 PM on October 26
It is not that LA does not care about football. USC and UCLA don't have any trouble filling stadiums.
The people of Los Angeles were too smart to allow their tax payer dollars to be used to build Georgia Fronandrearie, or Al Aholedavis a new stadium. The fans of LA will welcome a pro team that wants to play at the Collaseum or use investor or their own dollars to build their a stadium ala Jerry Jones. Why should tax payers subsidize the NFL or an NFL team. This was a matter of principle. A lot of other cities allowed an NFL franchise to hold them hostage to stadium demands but LA did not. The NFL will come crawling back here because the market potential is number one in the country.
posted by Atheist at 01:02 PM on October 26
Magic did not just have an affair but was knows for what they called booty parties (hooker orgies). That was the story of his HIV infection. The kissy kiss relationship he seemed to have had with Thomas added fuel to the gay speculation. To this day here in LA I think people question his sexuality. Not that there is anything wrong with it. It is just how many Aids cases have you heard about of heterosexual men, who are not intraveinous drug users?
In any case this book and its allogations show that these guys as great as they were as players, were pretty immature kids who maybe have yet to grow up.
posted by Atheist at 02:29 PM on October 22
Ufez - Whats wrong with a single 30 year old dating a 22 year old? Doesn't seem sleazy to me. I think the key word is single that makes it OK.
They say she is 22 but she looks 42 and frankly although her looks are fairly irrelevant, they do make me wonder what was this A hole thinking? I just don't even understand the temptation let alone a ruin my life and family action. Don't even mention the fact that not only is she lacking in physical appeal but she is an apparent mental case on top of it all.
Sometimes it is nice to see that some people do get exactly what they deserve. Like it or not this girl did do the guys wife a giant favor. Probably saved the rest of her life by avoiding more time with an idiot for a husband.
posted by Atheist at 04:07 PM on October 21
I agree that taking over mid season is difficult but it think it would have immediate advantages to the team and the new coach regardless of the record at the end of the season. If the team is committed to change then a change in coaching immediately sends a strong message to the players and the sooner the better. Unfortunately for Washington, Shanahan is no dummy and if he is going to get back into coaching, there will be way more opportunities, money, and choices at the end of the year.
posted by Atheist at 12:03 PM on October 20
Jamarcus Russell stinks and is never going to be a pro caliber QB. That said the biggest problem is ownership. After all Al Davis is running the show and is the one who wanted this guy. Until Al goes or they get a new coach and give him the authority to make decisions, nothing will change for the raiders.
posted by Atheist at 01:47 PM on October 16
I am all for technology getting it right and I think baseball should move into the 21st century by allowing IR when it is available. I even go one step further, I believe the technology is available to create an electronic strike zone. When I look at the bad ball and strike calls, I think baseball should enact an electronic or radar strike zone, no guess work. If the ball is in or out of the strike zone a machine can call it.
I am tired of the strike zone being whatever the umpire wants it to be.
posted by Atheist at 03:42 PM on October 12
Isn't it extremely prejudicial to assume all conservative white guys are Archie Bunker types? For your information Archie Bunker was a character representing a negative stereotype and was no more representative of conservative white males than Jimmie Walker in the Jeffersons was of young black men.
posted by Atheist at 10:53 AM on October 08
Of course you did, back in '82 it was a joke, now it is reality.
posted by Atheist at 11:31 AM on October 07
Just what every team needs, an egotistical, trouble making, ball dropping, whining receiver. There are only so many TOs to go around.
For a moment there the Jets looked good. Then a loss and now this.
posted by Atheist at 11:13 AM on October 07
Poor Rush Limbaugh, it's getting harder and harder to be a conservative white guy in America these days.
Conservative white males are the new minority, a maligned group with little or no sympathy from the masses.
posted by Atheist at 06:47 PM on October 06
The great thing about America is that if you have money you can buy a team, and run it the way you want.
I am not sure Limbaugh's comments were racially motivated or not, but I tend to agree with his assessment of Donovan McNab as a QB.
posted by Atheist at 06:04 PM on October 06
I had another thought about last nights game. It seemed to me the Packers did not respect Favre enough. Obviously their game plan was to stop Peterson and force Favre to throw to beat them. You would think that while Favre was standing in the pocket all day with no pressure and picking them to pieces, they would have adjusted to get some pressure on him, even if it meant a little softer run defense. If anything it was the Packer's fear of Adrian Peterson that opened up the passing game for Favre. To the credit of the Vikes, they never stopped going to Peterson, regardless of how ineffective he was, which kept the Packer LBs frozen on the run.
posted by Atheist at 04:48 PM on October 06
I am not saying a good team should beat a bad team by a lot of points. It just seems to me that they struggled with Cleveland, and Detroit, then were unable to stop the 49er offense when they finally got a lead in the 4th quarter of that game and had to come from behind on the last play, great as it was, and then last night even in victory gave up a lot of yardage. They may have beat the Pack but with a 16 point lead with 6 minutes to go and have the game come down to an onside kick was a sloppy finish on Minnesota's part. I think they should show a much better ability to control the ball offensively with their running game and their secondary needs work. Teams have moved to ball too easily so far.
Statistically speaking the Pack out rushed the Vikes, out passed the Vikes, averaged almost 7 yards per play, (sacks included) won the total yardage battle. Vikes only averaged 2.1 yards per rush (not good for the best back in football). The Packers only punted 2 times all evening.
My whole point is it may be a little premature for Vikes fans to buy their superbowl tickets yet. Ironically they sure are relying an awful lot on Favre to win games when the initial hype was that all he would need to do was hand off and properly manage the game by avoiding high risk throws. Ironically in the last two games they needed Favre the rocket arm gunslinger to pull them out of trouble. Thankfully he is what the hype about him says he is, the guy you want on your side when its on the line and the pressure is on.
I am sure they will get better. They are undefeated and look like they should stay that way for at least another week. I would just like to see them do a better job of controlling a game against opponents they should be much better than.
posted by Atheist at 04:34 PM on October 06
"They've had the No. 1 run defense three years in a row and the top running back. If that's desperation, I wish the Cowboys were in such desperate straits. "
Well that may be true but so far this year they have had close games with no so great teams. Last night Rogers was pressured but he also moved the ball very quickly down the field on several occaisions and threw for almost 400 yards. The Pack turned the ball over a couple of times and failed to score in the red zone on a couple of occasions. The Viking defense gave up a lot of yards. I hope they do well this year, especially because they took the chance with Favre but frankly I think they have a lot of work to do in order to be competitive with the top teams. They should have been able to put the game away last night and wound up just hanging on at the end. Not a good sign for a team that expects to be a contender for the Superbowl.
posted by Atheist at 03:20 PM on October 06
"To be fair, I do like that he helps the Vikings win games, though I hope he doesn't repeat his usual playoff performance."
Regardless of his usual playoff performance, the thing is, he is usually in the playoffs. Frankly without Favre the Vikes would be 2 and 2 instead of 4 and 0. So to regardless of whether or not they win the Superbowl and no matter what he does in the playoffs, most likely they will be there in big part because of him. Despite the talent on that team. Last night a 2 and 2 team, shut down Adrian Peterson, moved the ball up and down the field, scored plenty of points and even though they turned the ball over a couple of times was right there at the end of the game with a chance to win. The Vikings still seem a little overated to me and in desperate need of Favre.
posted by Atheist at 01:36 PM on October 06
I though it was great to see Favre for the second week in a row look like the hall of famer he is. Although Peterson had very small yardage, it should not be overlooked that because of his presence, the defense constantly had to first think run, and because they geared up to stop it, Favre's job was much easier. It also helps the offensive line of Minnesota pass block better because the defense cannot sell out the run to rush the passer. This really shows how the running threat of Peterson, combined with the arm and experience of Favre can really cause a defense problems.
I must say regardless of how Childress is looking good for signing Favre, his coaching performance last night was dismall. He almost cost the Vikes the game. First he blew a challenge that at the time was critical due to his indecision. Second when there was about 7 minutes to go in the game and the Vikes had a 16 point lead, he went away from a defensive scheme that was killing Rodgers and sold out for a third down blitz that was easily read and opened up the middle for a big gainer. The entire last 7 minutes were of a defense giving up the field in a prevent scheme that almost lost the game. They looked liked the were trying not to loose, in a game that was clearly well in had. Bad coaching. Also when the Vikes had the ball they tried that 3rd down long pass which was relatively safe but it allowed the Packers an extra 40 seconds, which at the very end of the game could have been enough time had they recovered the onside kick to win the game. I think they were all potentially critical coaching mistakes.
Favre proved again he may be the missing piece for the Vikings since it was clear that the Pack had stopped Peterson all night. Without Favre this is a game the Vikings would have lost. As was the game last week. It is pretty safe to say the aquisition of Favre has clearly resulted in the turning of two losses over the last two weeks into two wins. That is the Favre difference.
posted by Atheist at 10:46 AM on October 06
Congress has a lot better things to be doing right now and I for one resent the fact that they are spending time on this issue. The NFL players union has a responsibility to its membership to address the health and safety issues regarding their union members. There are plenty of worker protection laws already on the books, and the NFL players have union representation in place to fight for their rights, safety issues, retirement and medical benefits.
When the congress cannot get their act together to make sure all regular Americans have access to medical care, why on earth would they spend one minute on a very small and select group of individuals that have remarkably high salaries, a strong and forceful union, full medical and retirement benefits? The answer is grandstanding, plain and simple.
There are dangerous jobs out their like police work, crab fishing, coal mining, oil drilling, underwater welding, and this list can go on and on. NFL football players in my opinion are far down the list of groups needing protection from occupational hazards. They are all aware of the risks and choose the profession they love just like many others. They have a player run union to fight for their rights and benefits and deal with the unique job hazards of their work. Those ass wipes in Congress better stay focused on big jobs at hand and stop trying to grab whatever publicity they can from what is a high profile and low importance issue in the big scheme of things.
What's next, should congress address the plight of professional big wave surfers who suffer from surfer's ear? How about the abolition of football as it will never be perfectly safe and since it is just entertainment, not even a job that the nation relys on very much. Should any employer be able to put employees in harms way for the sake of making money in a non essential field?
Maybe in an effort to protect the professional athletes congress should outlaw all dangerous sports. Of course Boxers, Football players and most athletes would prefer that they just stay out of it and let them continue to make a great living doing what they love, and frankly, at one time in their lives did for simple the love of it.
posted by Atheist at 12:28 PM on October 05
WOW thank god I'm an Atheist!
People do the darndest things.
posted by Atheist at 06:25 PM on October 02
This president is just like all the others, and frankly made a dumb move (one of many). Chicago was in the running but as soon as the President and his wife got involved it ruined it for Chicago.
First, it was obvious he was involved due to being from Chicago and had political debts to pay as well as a personal agenda.
Second, as a candidate who pleged to restore the favorable impression of America with foreign countrys, didn't he see how the committee would take his attempt as pushy and another example of America trying to influence foreign policies and decisions. They made Chicago not the first or second choice as thought, but fourth and last in this case to send a message that they will not be influenced into a decision by an American President.
posted by Atheist at 04:21 PM on October 02
Of course with my screen name you got to know I hate this crap. Religion and religion in sports is absurd. Surely there has to be some irony in the boxer who prior to the fight is crossing himself. As if god would in some way approve or aid in one fighter beating the crap out of another.
First the coach can lead the team in a pre game prayer and as soon as he is finished say "Lets go out there and rip their f'ing heads off!"
posted by Atheist at 06:24 PM on October 01
I am not sure how spontaneous the celebration was as they knew they would at some point soon clinch and had the champagne all lined up and ready to go. I don't have any problem with the thing but I think it shows they did not put a lot of thought into it. They didn't really do anything that bad but they certainly missed a golden opportunity to not only honor their teamate in a more appropriate way but also send a message about the consequenses of irresponsible behavior. Everyone on the team in a way, is a survivorof this kind of senseless tragedy. If you look at the picture that accompanies the article, it is almost obscene. There is his jersey, completely doused in alcohol while alcohol is flying all around. Ironic is an understatement.
posted by Atheist at 06:08 PM on October 01
You mean a minor might read or see something on the internet that you don't approve of?
I think it is better to lecture him than everybody else.
posted by Atheist at 05:55 PM on October 01
In memory of Adenhart an alcohol free celebration would have been more moving. Of course that would have required some sacrafice and would have also sent a much more meaningful message honoring him.
I suppose as a society we will never rid ourselves of the DUI problem as long as we feel alcohol is a necessary part of any party, celebration or good time.
Maybe it is time to change the tradition and our way of thinking about what is a celebration.
posted by Atheist at 03:19 PM on October 01
My apologies it was Carson Palmers comment that I was referring to.
posted by Atheist at 11:29 AM on October 01
Wasn't this very scenario discussed on here a few weeks ago?
Yes it was and I got a lot of flack for dissing Tom Brady's comment that the players in the NFL were getting so big and fast that someone was going to die. I mentioned that people have died and will continue to die, and it has very little relevance to the size and speed of the players. It is the nature of the sport like so many others. The actual risk is much higher when the players are not of the size and speed of the pros. In high school football there is a much larger disparity in the size, speed and skill levels of the players. It is possible to have players that have pro potential playing against barely competent players. My whole point was that the NFL is probably a safer place to play. Bradys statement was dramatic but not really accurate in reflecting the danger. All football is dangerous as are a million other sports. This is a tragedy but no reason to focus on football as this kind of thing can happen, anywhere, anytime while doing anything.
posted by Atheist at 05:45 PM on September 30
In another interesting turn after the Jets trade Pennington to Miami for the Old Man Favre, Pennington has one good year but now Miami is 0-3, Pennington has just been placed on IR and is out for the season and possibly the rest of his career with a third shoulder operation. Regardless of the Jets finish last year, getting rid of Pennington looks like a good move. Of course Favre winds up in Minnesota, where he always wanted to go. Jets wind up with Sanchez, which makes the Jets look like the winners in both last years and this years trades, and the Packers who did their best to avoid it, get to play against Favre in a divisional battle this week.
Football is so much more interesting this year because Favre is in Minnesota. A miracle finish last week and now the Favre led Vikes get to face off the division rival Packers. A game that this early in the season would have only been moderately important, is now a must watch for me.
What's not to love about it?
posted by Atheist at 04:36 PM on September 29
Not dissing Montana at all, as he is one of my all time favorites and I referred to him as the great Joe Montana. My only point being he did not go to a 4 and 12 team. Favre made a big impact. Nobody blamed Montana for falling short in the AFC championship game where as with Favre he threw an INT in overtime of an NFC championship game and he can't live it down.
People also forget that after his Superbowl win the Packer team was basically dismantled by free agency. In 2006 as I recal they had a terrible record with a very young inexperienced team and one year later as I recal they went to the NFC championship with one of the best records in football. All anyone remembers is one INT.
posted by Atheist at 02:59 PM on September 29
Wow he has won less superbowls than Brady Warner or Roethlisberger. Of course he has won just as many or more than Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, Archie Manning, Dan Marino. John Elway, Jim Kelly, Joe Namath, Drew Brees, Dan Fouts, Donovan McNabb, the list goes on and on. People are just having a problem with his off field persona. I don't expect everybody to like him. What I am having a problem with is all the nay sayers about how he shouldn't be playing or how he can't play anymore.
He felt like he could play, he wanted to play, teams want to hire him (for some pretty good money), and when he is on the field he gives his all and frankly there is no denying it, he is very successful, and is still playing at the highest level. Every QB has their critics and Favre's critics complain that he forces passes he should not make. Fair enough but all good QBs do it to some extent due to confidence. Sometimes you gotta make the tough throws and sometimes it goes bad. In all his years in Green Bay, I cannot believe his bad throws can erase all the great ones he made. Franklyt he has done more for the Vikes and Jets than the great Joe Montana did for KC after SF pushed him out the door.
Surely in a game like football when everyone thinks you are washed up at 33, it is natural for fans, ownership and oneself to contemplate how long it makes sense to play. In Favre's case, it only seems natural that after 35 years old, after every brutal and physical season the retirement issue would be there. I just don't begrudge him the right to as the beginning of the next season approaches he has revisited the decision and if feeling like he can play he accepts offers to do so. I think right now in Minnesota they can be happy that they have him and I seriously doubt TJ or any of their other QBs would have won that game on Sunday.
Frankly Minnesota does not look all that good to me. They have struggled to win in each game so far. For all the hype their defense and running game have gotten, they are not easily controlling their opponents, who have only been mediocre at best. The team (not Favre) is going to have to step up thier play this week if they want to win. If the Vikes are as good as they are hyped to be, Favre should only have to manage the games. Of course, thank goodness, last week he can do more since they were unable to stop a 49er team with a crippled running attack. It just seems Favre is exactly what the Vikes need if they are going to have any chance this year. If it were not for a big kick return and the big play from Favre ande Greg Lewis, the Vikes would have lost to an improved but still mediocre niner team. Of course if the Vikes fall short this year all the Favre haters will blame Favre but after watching the first three games, there is plenty of blame to go around on that team. They are going to have to improve a lot to make a good playoff run. If they do then Favre will not have to make the heroic mega plays to win games. In the event he does, well I still can't think of too many guys you would rather have try.
posted by Atheist at 01:45 PM on September 29
"Yes, he won a Super Bowl in 1996. That was a really long time ago. We are allowed to judge Favre, just like every other player, based on what he has done recently. A QB that makes as much as he does ought to be winning in the playoffs. We will see."
I believe his last year in Green Bay he took them to a 13 and 3 regular season record and did win in the playoffs falling short one play from the Superbowl. That means only two QB went further in the 2007 season. Then in 2008 he took a perenial looser the Jets to within a game of the playoffs winning twice as many games as the same team did a year before and changing the culture of loosing the team had. Sure they missed the playoffs by falling apart but that can be blamed on a severe injury and the fact the the entire team fell apart defensively. Let's face it, a good team would have found a way to win one of their last four with or without a healthy QB.
I think one of Brett Favre's problems is he has been too successful so now anything less than a superbowl victory is seen a a failure or dismal season, when in fact many great QBs have never won a SB and some have never gotten there. If Payton Manning never wins another one, will his remaining seasons be viewed as failures. The hall of fame is full of guys who did not win a SB. Making a statement like Favre won back in 96 and not since so therefore he is somehow failing is silly. He has consistently been one of the most exciting players in the league for almost 20 seasons and Sunday he proved that he still is. I just don't see how anybody can dispute that. Like him or not, he deserves credit and admiration for his accomplishments.
Most Jets fans I know will still say even though last year was a dissapointment at the end, at least the last two game of the season had some meaning, as opposed to the traditional statistical elimination by week 8. Jeez all they needed to do was play a little better defense or control a game with their ground attack. The only thing the injury did to Favre's arm is demonstrate just how much that team needed miracles from him, and that they could not win even one in four games without him playing really well.
It alway interesting to me that when a team is loosing a game and the QB has to make a last ditch come from behind effort to drive the team down the field with less than two minutes left, if he throws an INT when the defense is playing back waiting for the only option, which is a pass in that situation, it is the QB that blew the game. That is also silly.
posted by Atheist at 11:10 AM on September 29
I am not saying that Favre's season should be judged at this point, but I certainly believe that in the first three games it has become clear that Favre has proven he can still play at the top level, he can still win, he can make the big high pressure throws and like I said many times before, there are few better with time running out in the 4th quarter, no time outs and the game on the line.
Obviously he felt he could and wanted to play. Regardless of what happens from here on out, the bottom line is nobody is yelling for Donovan McNabb's retirement, and he can't seem to get through a couple of games without injury, Favre has made 272 consecutive NFL starts and at forty he proved Sunday he still has the fire and the ability to do what few others can. I am not saying he will make the Superbowl but when I look at NFL starting QBs this year, I would say along with Brees, both Mannings, Warner, Brady and Rothlisberger, Favre is still right there with the NFL's best when it comes to engineering a game winning drive when you need it.
Yes Minnesota has a great running game but that alone could not win the game Sunday. As a matter of fact, when what they needed was an experienced QB who could deliver a drive with the game on the line, they got exactly what they paid for in Favre. Nobody in MN is regretting the decision the get Favre this week.
posted by Atheist at 05:19 PM on September 28
Only one QB wins the superbowl each year and Favre has done and has gotten very close on several occasions. He has already proved he is durable and can play still play at his age as his recent performances have suggest.
Sundays throw was not just lucky nor was it a fluke as he has done this is pressure situations for a long time. Watch the tape, he not only had to scramble to avoid the sack, dodge the arm swipe, and then step up in the pocket and throw a hail mary. He did not just throw up a hail mary for anyone to grab, he throw a fifty yard line drive bullet and put it in the only spot where a Viking receiver could possibly make a play. Credit to the receiver as he made a spectacular catch of a spectacular throw. Just another day in the career of Brett Favre.
This guy is still an assett to every team he plays on. Sure he has thrown some bad balls in critical situations but let's face it the teams he has played on are in the critical situations because of his performance. Just because the best homerun hitters in history sometimes strike out when in critical situations doesn't mean you don't want them at the plate when you need a homer.
Favre bashing should be over because regardless of what he does from here on out he has proven he can still do it. Until he can no longer make the kind of throw he made Sunday he should play as long as he likes.
posted by Atheist at 02:54 PM on September 28
bperk - most players would not do this nor do I think teams should accept this kind of condition from a player. Then again I don't think Favre is most players and I do feel his situation is very unique. It seems the Vikings and prior to them the Jets, both understood this and were willing to work with it. I believe it has paid off for both organizations so far. Certainly the Jets were loosers when Favre went to them and athough the team fell apart defensively and Favre was injured late in the year, there can be no doubt that whole franchise culture as turned around. They went from loosers to contenders in one season. They have built on that and now look again like a contending team. Sometimes a little winning can do wonders for the mind set and personality of a team.
rcade - do you think that it may not have been a game and that it may have taken time to work out the details and for Favre to be certain his injury would be healed enough to play. I take him on his word that he wanted to be sure he could perform before making the commitment.
posted by Atheist at 02:42 PM on September 21
I disagree that he owes anything to others beyond being the best he can be on game day. 271 consecutive starts in the NFL and playing at a high level at age 40 should allow him some leeway in how he chooses to get ready for the season. Just like any employee negotiating an employment contract he has the right to state his terms and conditions as to what he will and won't do for the paycheck. Potential employers can either accept, pass or try to negotiate the points they feel are important. If some of the other players can't understand why after 20 years in the league, 271 consecutive starts, a hall of fame career, almost every passing record, and Super Bowls, he might have earned the right to skip some training camp, well then they are just unreasonable.
posted by Atheist at 02:10 PM on September 21
bperk - I am a gun owner and there is a difference between legally owning guns and properly transporting them, and carrying concealed loaded weapons. Carrying concealed loaded guns without a permit makes you a criminal.
posted by Atheist at 12:57 PM on September 21
Not only did he make a record start but he is playing well and is winning. I still cannot understand why there is so much animosity regarding Favre. He has had a remarkable career, and in this day and age of criminal athletes, gun charges, rape charges, dog fighting etc, some people can chastise Favre for what? Changing his mind about retirement. He isn't forcing any team to hire him they just want to and for very good reason.
posted by Atheist at 12:09 PM on September 21
The NBA should be getting used to this. They really should think about lifetime bans for criminal behavior. I guess if they did they might run short of players.
Funny how the excuse for this stuff use to be about the disadvantages of ghetto life, and that a life of crime was the only alternative for some of these kids. It seems interesting to me that when a kid is made a millionaire many times over and the disadvantaged life ends, thugdom is still the lifestyle of choice.
posted by Atheist at 11:55 AM on September 21
Thanks BI for getting it. LBB seems to have an ax to grind with me. I fully understand that there is an incredible amount of social injustice in this world. I also understand that there is a new attitude regarding protecting peoples racial sensitivities. All I was saying is I THINK, there are probably more important battles for native americans, they of course can decide for themselves which ones are worth fighting. If they think the name Redskins is a problem by all means they should fight to change it.
I do believe in Americaware the right to offend is protected by the constitution. Most companies and organizations do not want to offend as it is bad for business. Maybe the best way to get the Redskins to change their name is to make it bad for business to keep it.
posted by Atheist at 04:35 PM on September 18
LBB - I would never dream of telling anybody what battles to choose. So your suggestion that I was doing that is unfair. I suggested that it might be better if we learned to laugh a little more at ourselves and prioritize our battles. You obviously have a problem with me stating my opinions or opinions that disagree with yours. Frankly, also a way of implying that any opinion that differs from yours is just wrong, end of discussion.
Please explain to me why a team named Indians would be less acceptable than say a team named Celtic's. Yes Indians were oppressed, yes at one time so were Irish immigrants. Both teams have an identity associated with race which I suppose is just wrong at any level. Maybe both are equally offensive or equally unimportant.
What I really see is that this is all about perception. The perception that it is some how not offensive to refer to Scandinavian culture as Vikings ( a brave, strong warrior like, conquest oriented symbolism) in regard to a sports team, but it is offensive to refer to Native American culture as Indians ( a brave, strong warrior like, conquest oriented symbolism) in regard to a sports team. Both perceptions have about the same element of truth, myth and fiction and should both be taken with about the same grain of salt and seriousness, as they both are similarly ridiculous.
Maybe those old movies that portray both cowboys and indians in an unfavorable light should be destroyed before they damage another generation.
posted by Atheist at 04:22 PM on September 17
OK I am going to stop joking around and express a actual opinion. I think that anything you do and probably will be offensive to somebody. That said, although I believe in being offensive to everybody equally, I can also be sensitive to the race issue and agree that naming teams after a race of people is something that has become politacally incorrect.
With that said I personally am ambivilent regarding the renaming of the Redskins, as I believe the name of the team was more about promoting the rivalry between the Washington team and the Cowboys. I also think that things change, and in 1850 the term Redskin may have evoked a particular image, today however as it relates to 2009 in the great majority of people's minds, the name Redskins only makes them think of a Football team in Washington DC. This is nothing similar to some of the other racial slur names that have been used as an anology.
I can understand that the stupid indian mascot of the Cleveland Indians and the characature logo may be offensive at some level, but is it any more so than say the stupid big headed Dallas Cowboy, or New England Patriot? Actually some teams with names like Braves, or Chiefs and frankly the Redskins I think could be seen by many as being complimentary as the connotation is of admirable traits, like leadership, bravery, warrior like or strength. Why else would a team choose a name unless they considered it a thing deserving of respect. Then again some teams have names like Dodgers, Senators or Gophers which you would think imply cowardly because they dodge, hide in holes, or are worse Politicians. Of course at some point the name is just a name and is associated with a sports team. Most teams chose name because the name is associated with virtues they want to emmulate and therefore you have a lot of teams names after animals like tigers but very few teams named worms. Apologies to bollweivel fans.
With all the problems of the world, maybe it would be better to learn to laugh at ourselves a little more and prioritize our battles.
Indians are actually from India, and the name Native Americans is a joke when in truth if you ask them what they are, the answers are Apache, Seminole, Hopi, Blackhawk etc. Now should Blackhawk's be offended that the Chicago hockey team named itself after them? To me is seems like flattery but if the Blackhawks feel they should own the rights to their own tribe's name then that of course is more of a copyright infringement issue than an offensive issue. If they are offended, it seems in this society a monetary settlement or a casino permit usually heals the wounds enough in most cases to move on.
I think it serves most people well to look beyond a word or name and see the context in which it is being used. The N word can be one of the most offensive words in the world, but it is also used in the black community in some contexts, where it is not derrogetory, almost as a brother hood thing. It appears to me that a lot of black people have learned something that seems to be excaping the discussion and that is - it is what is behind the use of a name, how it is used, and by whom, which is as important as the word itself. I cannot speak for how Native Americans in general feel about the situation but I do think at some point finding a way past it is best for all. Otherwise next they should go after all the old movies, books, etc that have inaccurate and derogatory portrails of thier culture which are far worse. IMO and please realize I am just expressing my opinion not telling any one else how they should feel.
posted by Atheist at 01:55 PM on September 17
or you have no sense of it.
posted by Atheist at 06:50 PM on September 16
FWIW I would not only change the name from Redskins to make Native Americans happy but I would give them the stadium as it sits on land that was stolen from them in the first place. As a matter of fact lets all just give them back the United States. Even Native American is offensive as they were here before there was an America so how can they be native Americans? They are just the natives.
posted by Atheist at 06:12 PM on September 16
wfrazerjr - do you really think I was in any way serious - it was a silly joke - I don't expect you to think its funny but if you didn't get that it was just silly stuff then who is clueless?
posted by Atheist at 06:02 PM on September 16
The NFL has real problems as the Chiefs are next to be sued by native Americans.
The Chargers are being sued by a group of rehabilitated compulsive shoppers and credit card addicts, they are also suing the Bills.
Gay rights advocates along with produce farmers are suing the Packers.
The Cardinals are being sued by the Catholic Church and Peta.
A group of people with congenital glandular conditions are suing the Giants.
A ocean based terrorist organization in Somalia is suing both the Buccaneers and Raiders.
The Steelers are being sued by the Iron Workers of America.
The Cleveland Browns are being sued by Hispanics
The Cowboys are being sued by Texas ranchers, and the Texans are being sued by the state of Texas (at least until the win something).
Peta is also suing the Colts, Dolphins, Rams, Jaguars, Panthers, Seahawks, Ravens, Bengals, Lions, Bears, Falcons, Eagles, Broncos
A bunch of almost 50 year olds are suing the 49ers.
England is suing the Patriots and Norway is suing the Vikings and Greece is suing the Titans.
The Jets are being sued by Boeing, Lockheed and Airbus
posted by Atheist at 04:15 PM on September 16
bperk - point being this guy is always hurt. With him or without him the Bears stink. The defense isn't great but has always been overated by mearly the fact that they play 8 games is Chicago which is not friendly to offensive minded football due to weather, as is Green Bay, they get Detroit twice a year who can't score anyway. So just as the year they played Indy in the superbowl their defense looks good statistically but against a good offense in good weather they were terrible. The environment in Chicago can stifle any offense with wind and cold. All defenses will have good stats in that kind of situation. Cutler will find out how difficult it is to rack up yardage in Chicago for a big part of the year.
Don't get me wrong I like Chicago and want them to do good, but for the last couple of years their QB situation was viewed as the reason they could not contend when in fact they have a lot more holes than that.
Hopes were high for Cutler being their savior, and although one game does not make a season, this weeks game against Green Bay mearly exposed the fact that they are indeed a long way away from playoff contention. A injury prone Urlacher is a big part of that problem. I just feel that if they looked better the news on Urlacher would be a wait and see with the injury not an "out for the season".
I really believe that if the Bears could get their act together and make a run at the playoffs (which won't happen) Urlacher will put a cast on the wrist and play as I doubt he will let the opportunity get by. Of course missing this season won't really matter as unfortunately they look terrible to me.
posted by Atheist at 02:27 PM on September 15
LBB - what exactly are you defending? Whether or not is was a foot fault is not the issue. It was a very close judgement call, right or wrong, what is there to defend about Serena's behavior. Not even she can justify it or is defending it. Plain and simple she lost it, she lost complete control of herself. Nobody has suggested she be taken and shot but lets call it what it was, a frustrated player losing their composure in a totally inappropriate way.
Your argument that if an official sees a foot fault, or thinks they see a foot fault, they should overlook it when in fact they are being paid to objectively call foot faults is insane. Objective officiating never should take into accout a match situation. The officail is morally bound to call them as they see 'em. Right or wrong, some sports have the ability to overrule mistakes and other sports choose not to. In either case the athletes must abide by the officiating or simply you have chaos.
If as you say foot faults are not important then maybe ATP officials should review and change the rules for tournament play. But as long as they feel the need to pay an official to watch for infractions and enforce the rule, what do you think should happen?
posted by Atheist at 12:53 PM on September 15
I never said he was a wimp, I said based on the Bears performance he has little incentive to do anything other than rest and recover and wait for a better shot at playing with a contender.
Exactly my thoughts Billsaysthis, and just in the rare event that Cutler gets his act together and the Bears begin to contend, watch how Urlacher makes a remarkable recovery and comes back for the playoffs. Not that it will happen, I mean the bears making the playoffs but, if it did, don't be surprised.
I'm just sayin......
posted by Atheist at 12:32 PM on September 15
I kinda agree with bobfoot, broken or dislocated wrist on a QB, RB or WR I can understand but I remember the days when those defensive players would just get a cast on it and play. How does this stop Urlacher from running into people?
I can't help but wonder if chosing to sit out the season has something to do with watching the Bears and Cutler's disapointing performance against the Packers which had to take some of the enthusiasm out of him. Let's face it, the Bears have all these high hopes and feel they finally have that QB that is going to get them past the hump and then the see it is the same old Bears, Urlacher probably just said screw it, why take the chance.
I'm just saying....
posted by Atheist at 10:46 AM on September 15
"Serena was taking off her game at a critical moment in one of her biggest matches of this year"
I wonder if it is safe to say that by throwing a vulgar threating tantrum, and causing play to stop, it might be slightly unfair to her opponent and possibly taken Kim Clijsters off her game, a game that in fact was working and beating Williams. The incident happened at a time that was just as much a critical moment for Clijsters as it was for Williams and could have cost her just as much.
posted by Atheist at 06:49 PM on September 14
Is It Time to Retire the Football Helmet?
"How often are you getting hit on the average Sunday?"
Brilliant comment. What does that have to do with anything? Let me reiterate, every thing has a risk and as adults I will assume anybody who loves football enough to make it to the NFL not only loves to play football, but is comfortable with the risks and rewards of the career they have chosen.
The NFL has an incredibly strong players union. If the players wanted to outlaw helmets, they would. I am wondering why everybody seems so concerned with protecting NFL players when of all the occupations I can think of, they have some of the best pay, benefits, and a player run union to fight for the rights and goals of their membership.