Brett Favre: There is No 'Semi-Retired' in the NFL!

There isn't really much more to comment on this subject. It has reached clandestine soap opera proportions now. Perhaps, Brett's Search For Tomorrow or As the Packer's World Turns. Or how about a good 'ole twang-twang country song, I Can't Give You My All...But on Sunday Give Me The Ball. I know, enough is enough. Let's break it down and see if it's first and ten or fourth and long. Brett Favre officially retired from football earlier this year. In March, he talks to the Packers about coming back. He calls them back 48 hours later and says no, I'm retired. The team makes their plans to move on without him, officially naming Aaron Rogers as the Green Bay starting quarterback. This week, Favre changes his mind yet again and wants to come back. The Pack says Rogers is our starting QB. Brett asks for his outright release from the team, but the Packers front office refuses to grant that. So, you want to punt or go for it all? Now Favre must petition the league office for reinstatement, which they will grant. At that point he becomes a member of the Green Bay Packers under the terms of his previous contract, and he must report to training camp later this month. The Packers do not want to release Brett and run the risk of seeing him sign with a division rival (Minnesota or Chicago), but they don't want to to pay him $12 million to be a back-up to Rogers, and they certainly don't want that atmosphere around their organization. What does Brett want? He wants to play football on Sundays without doing all the prep and work Tuesday through Friday. I don't blame him, but it just won't work that way. I like him and I like the way he has always played the game, but now it's time to either ride off into the Sunset (just like "The Duke"!) or commit to being a full-time football player. He will either report to camp or he won't, and the Packers will either keep him, release him, or trade him. Not the best of times to be a member of the "Packer Nation", because as of now: All bets are off!

Robert Edwards: The Enormous Will to Overcome

This week Sports Illustrated ran an interesting article, "Where Are They Now?" Tennille, Georgia native and former Washington County High School (GA) and University of Georgia great Robert Edwards was one of the featured athletes. For many football fans, the first thing that comes to mind when they hear Robert's name is his unbelievably horrendous knee injury following his rookie NFL season with the New England Patriots. He had been invited to Hawaii to play in a beach four-on-four flag football game with other NFL rookies. He landed in an awkward manner while breaking up a pass, tearing three of the knee's four major ligaments. The ACL, the MCL, and the PCL are not bowling leagues, if you're wondering. They are the ligaments blown out on Edward's left knee. Now add to those three, a damaged major nerve and a sliced artery which brought on the very real possibility of amputation. That's the makeup of the worst knee injury in football. Before or since. Forget football, let's aim for walking again, and without a crutch would be like Christmas. After doctors saved his knee, the faith and fortitude of Robert Edwards took over. He spent two excruciating years of rehab , enduring immeasurable pain. He had swelling and scarring, and he couldn't pick his foot up nor turn his ankle until the severely damaged nerves regenerated. Let's not overlook the traumatic nightmares he had of having his leg amputated either. But miraculously, he recovered and regained most of his agility and speed. He played in twelve NFL games in 2002 before landing in the Canadian Football League. In a cost cutting roster reduction, he was released by the Toronto Argonauts this January. The improbable comeback was now complete. He not only walked, he ran again. He not only ran, he ran fast again. He was no longer an injured football player, he was a very good football player. Again! You just can't help but wonder what the career would have been without the injury. Just as you wonder about Bo Jackson, Mickey Mantle, and other great athletes. But injuries are a real part of sports. And for people with the character of Robert Edwards, overcoming the injury might not define the career, but it sure defines the essence of the man.

Rich Rodriguez: From Hire Me to Help Me!

On December 17, 2007, Rich Rodriguez was announced by Michigan as its 18th head coach in the Wolverine's storied football history. He came to Michigan from his alma mater of West Virginia University where he spent the previous seven years as their head coach. Following his defection to Ann Arbor, West Virginia filed a $4 million lawsuit against its former coach to collect on a buyout clause in his WVU contract. Just this week, Rodriguez agreed to pay the $4 million buyout and put an end to all the legal distractions of the lawsuit, which had been set for trial this fall. Well, he didn't really agree to pay the entire $4 mil. He negotiated to pay $1.5 million in three $500,000 annual installments. UM Athletics is throwing in the other $2.5 million, as well as all the coach's attorney and legal fees. The timing of the agreement is very intriguing in its on right. Rodriguez was approaching a court ordered disclosure deadline in which he would have to reveal if anyone at Michigan had agreed to pay West Virginia on his behalf. The settlement also eliminates another lawsuit filed by WVU which would have ordered Michigan AD Bill Martin and president Mary Sue Coleman to testify. Also, West Virginia recently obtained a subpoena for records from Rodriguez's financial advisor. This mess has more ingredients than an Emeril Live cooking show! What do you say we throw in a bit of irony? The coach claimed he signed his WVU contract under pressure from board members concerning the buyout clause. But yet he turns around and signs his Michigan contract with a very similar $4 million clause in it. Not to worry Mr. Rodriguez. If that clause ever becomes an issue again, I'm quite sure the next school will pay ay least 60% of it just as the Wolverines did. But next time , I wouldn't get the school president involved with a subpoena. I've got a feeling that could have been the reason for your speedy settlement offer and agreement. All things considered, I'd say you came out of this "smelling like a rose". Speaking of which, it wouldn't be a bad idea if you took your new team to the bowl name for that fragrant flower. And the sooner the better. Oh yea, one more thing. It might not hurt to beat Ohio State for a change!

Braves and Teixeira: Deal or No Deal

As Major League Baseball approaches the All-Star break, contending teams are jockeying for position and the trade rumors are flowing. Atlanta's Mark Teixeira is right in the thick of those rumors. A switch hitting power hitter looks enticing to a number of clubs, and some feel he is expendable because the Braves most likely will not resign him for next year. But then again, it is also felt that Atlanta would not trade him now because they think they can still make a serious run to make the playoffs. I don't think this team can make the playoffs this year. Something is missing from this edition of the Braves, but I can't define yet what it is that's missing. I think it might be one of those intangible things that are always hard to identify. That being said, if Atlanta can trade Tex and get a quality player(s) in return, make the deal. You're not going to get anything for him next year anyway, so cut your losses now. You gave up more than enough to get him for the short haul anyway, so if the suitors are calling, let him go. The Braves and Mark Teixeira might be faced with Howie's popular question: Deal or No Deal! Good Luck!

Michael Vick: What Money?

I read today that Michael Vick filed Chapter 11. He lists his debts between $10 million and $50 million. Mike, could you narrow that down for us a bit? His assets are also in that $40 million range. I suppose it's much easier for me to know if I have $100 or $500 in my checking account.(But at least I know!) That $400 range is much easier to keep up with than that $40 million range! When asked if Michael was 'broke' or insolvent, his attorney replied that he was in "a precarious financial position". You mean sorta like O.J.? This is the point I think you'll find intriguing: Vick wants the court to approve the appointment of a guy named Talbot to manage his financial affairs during this period. Now this David Talbot was once a medical doctor, turned financial planner, turned management consultant. He is mentioned as a "trusted advisor." Now, with part of that huge asset range, Michael has paid the guy up front with a Mercedes Benz and $35,000. Wait, there's more: Talbot also gets $15,000 a month plus expenses until the case is closed. And Michael, the Dude doesn't have to pay any malpractice insurance! If too many MD's get wind of this, they'll all become financial guys. No more prostate checks for these white coats! But in cases like Michael Vick, they'll be working with a sickness of a different sort. Here is a guy who was paid so much money that he doesn't even know how much he is or isn't worth to toss a piece of pigskin around on Sunday afternoons, and claims he cannot honor his debts unless the creditors agree to settle for less. I'm supposed to buy in to that? I'm supposed to feel bad for the guy? Not when I know that after he is released from prison he will be spending money with no regard for its value again. We've seen it happen before (reference Mr. Simpson again: just ask his victim's families). He wore that #7, and he'll roll that lucky seven on and on. Mr. Talbot will still have his Mercedes, and you and I may or may not still have our physicians!

Joe Cox: Quarterback-In-Waiting

Don't forget about this guy. The red-head second string quarterback for the University of Georgia. #14 just might have to come up big for the Dawgs in 2008. It's tough for any one quarterback to be able to take every snap during the course of an SEC football season. Everyone hopefully expects starter Matthew Stafford to have a breakout Heisman type season this year, but just don't forget about Joe Cox. Cox came out of Independence High in Charlotte, N.C. as the the #7 ranked QB in the nation from the class of 2005. He and high school teammate Mohamed Massaquoi arrived in Athens together as two of the gems of that recruiting class. Don't you know the state of North Carolina hated to see these two prep stars go out of state? Joe Cox has not been a disappointment in Athens. He's just trapped behind Stafford. There are tons of college programs that would love to have Joe Cox as their starting quarterback. And yes he could start at 'tons' of schools. But Joe Cox likes the University of Georgia and Georgia likes Joe Cox. Not all players, especially at the quarterback position, are adept at coming off the bench cold into a game. Cox can perform under those circumstances as well as he could if he were starting. So if you see #14 on the field for the Dawgs this fall, don't panic. Joe can handle the situation.

Michael Phelps: A Virtual Swimming Machine

Remember the name: Michael Phelps. You will hear it many times before the Olympics are finished this summer. He might even reach "household" recognition status. After all, he very well could bring back to America more swimming Gold Medals than did Mark Spitz, and Spitz became one of those household names himself. As you probably recall, Spitz won a total of seven Olympic Golds in the 1972 Munich Olympics. Can't you still picture that image of him in Sports Illustrated with all that gold draped around his neck? Heck, "Mr T." was envious of that stash! Nevertheless, Phelps has completed his program of eight events at the U.S. Olympic Trails in Omaha. He set two world records of the seven total that were Broken at the trials. He will swim in eight events including relays in Beijing. The Summer Olympic games of the XXIX Olympiad will be held August 8-24 in Beijing, China.

Nadal -vs- Federer: One For The Ages!

The reign is over...for now. In the longest men's
final in Wimbledon history, Rafael Nadal defeated five time defending champion Roger Federer in five gruelling, rain delayed sets. He prevailed 6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 6-7, 9-7 in a match that took 4 hours, 48 minutes and ended in near darkness. I thought the match would be over in straight sets, but Federer came up with an inspiring comeback in his bid to surpass Bjorn Borg by winning his sixth straight title. The level and quality of play was just what you would expect of a Wimbledon final featuring these two champions. I've always liked Roger Federer for the talent he has and the class with which he conducts himself, but I certainly was not unhappy to see Rafael Nadal walk off Center Court with his first men's singles title there. We are not always treated with seeing the two best square off in the finals of major events as we were today, and everyone got their money's worth and more from the performances of these two. It almost sounds 'cheesy' to say this, but there really was no loser today in many regards. The shot-making was


astounding and the excitement unending. There were unforced errors of course in a match of this duration. Federer himself converted only one of thirteen break points, but there are only positives to carry away from an epic battle like this. For Nadal, he became the first player to win the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year since Borg in 1980. For Federer, his level of tennis has not deteriorated, guys like Nadal are just getting better. He also has to play at is highest level to win grand slam events now. Had he not come back from two sets down, he might have reason to question himself. But the comeback showed he still has the desire and the ability to continue to add to his 12 Grand Slam wins. What a way for a sports enthusiast to cap off a sports-filled Fourth of July Holiday weekend. I'm sure we'll be seeing Mr.'s Federer and Nadal many more times during their outstanding tennis careers.

Jeff Francoeur: A "Minor" Setback

The Atlanta Braves have sent slumping right fielder Jeff Francoeur to their Class AA affiliate in Mississippi. He will be reunited with Mississippi manager Phillip Wellman who has a positive history of working with Francoeur in the minors before. His 2008 average fell to .234 after he went o for 4 Thursday night, and he was also booed at home for the first time in his career. That has to be especially tough on him because he is a local hero out of nearby Parkview High School. He had been dropped to seventh in the batting order, after having been expected to join Chipper, Teixeira, and McCann in the heart of the attack. The plan is for him to get more at bats in a more relaxed atmosphere and rejoin the Braves after the All-Star break. I would hope that rather than put a time limit on this experiment, that the organization would have the mindset of 'we'll bring you back up when we think you are ready'. Francoeur, as expected, was disappointed with the decision and the way it went down. He told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution his relationship with the club has now been jeopardized. Now why did you have to go there, Jeff? That will really get those booing fans off of your back. You haven't been getting the job done. The honeymoon is over, and it should have been a long time ago. You might be disappointed but you can't be completely surprised. I've posted two articles here about you being sent to the minors and what the heck do I know? Go to AA and work hard to get better. How about EARNING your way back to Atlanta? While they're adjusting your swing, perhaps they will adjust your attitude as well. This 'ain't personal', as they say, and if the Braves are wrong here it's because they didn't do this sooner. You don't know if you'll ever feel the same about this organization again, well evidently they already don't feel the same way about you. This is not Parkview High, it's the Big Leagues. You are being paid big bucks to produce and you are not producing. It's a business. Isn't that what you guys maintain at contract time? If you're mad, you should be mad at yourself. Take that frustration and get to work. Get back to where you were when you were first called up. The Braves need you. The city of Atlanta needs you. And even though you're not open to this right now, you need the Atlanta Braves. Get well soon Jeff.

Have A Happy 4th!

Have a great July 4th holiday! If you didn't think so before, it is definitely 'Summer in the South'
now. That means high temperatures with high humidity which equals S-T-I-C-K-Y! You just gotta love it! That also means that the next national holiday will be the beginning of football season. Here we go again! Thanks for stopping by An Opinion On Sports. I hope you enjoy your visits here, and that you develop a habit of checking in with us. Please consider giving a referral of this site to your friends. Be safe and have a fun holiday weekend. Always remember those in uniform who continue to insure our independence. Take care...

The Personal Seat License or PSL

The National Football League has put into place the Personal Seat License. In a nutshell it means you don't just pay for your ticket, you first must pay for the opportunity to pay for your ticket. The New York Giants levied a $1,000 PSL on approximately 25,000 tickets. On the other extreme, Jerry Jones' new Cowboy Stadium has PSLs starting out at $2,000 and climbing up into the six-figure mark from there. That will probably mean that some lifetime Texas Stadium season ticket holders will be priced out of a seat in the new digs. Not to worry, Jerry will fill your seat before you can say 'Roger Staubach'. But hold on a second. Isn't the good 'ole NFL just taking a page out of the college football playbook? At most Division 1 NCAA schools, alumni and fans have to make a "contribution" to the general scholarship fund, or the athletic association or some other designated recipient before they are allowed to purchase season tickets. And just like the pros are instituting now, the colleges have always played by the concept of the 'bigger the gift, the better the seats'. There is no right or wrong here, it's merely the way the seating game is played. Football is king and the pawns get moved all around the chess board, sometimes even off the board. Checkmate! The system just gotcha. You may call it big business, supply and demand, greed or whatever label you prefer to apply to the practice. I maintain it's probably all of the above and it doesn't matter one pigskin punt. It's like that cellular phone commercial where the only thing that is going to change are the prices. Up, Up and Away Sports Fans! You gotta pay to watch 'em play!

Knowshon Moreno: Just a Little R & R

When you think of Knowshon Moreno, you think of high energy, a motor that is always running at full speed, and contagious exuberance. But even Georgia's star tailback gets a little low on the octane sometimes. With all the preseason hype surrounding the Bulldog football program, quarterback Matthew Stafford, and Moreno there are an awful lot of things coming very fast at these young men. Recently, it just got to be a little too much for Moreno. He was trying to accommodate everyone while being pulled in a thousand different directions. The decision was made with Knowshon, his family, and the UGA coaches that a couple of weeks at home in New Jersey would provide a great break for him. He could be himself, not the star tailback. He could do "normal" things away from the attention of being a University of Georgia football player. After all, he went from being an obscure red-shirt freshman to now becoming a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate. There are not many places Moreno can go in the state of Georgia where he would not be recognized and swarmed upon. The image of the player Moreno in his number 24 jersey can be seen on the cover of preseason football publications in grocery stores, drug stores, and convenience stores. That number 24 jersey can be found in malls and sporting goods stores, thus on the backs of thousands of Dawg fans young and old alike. The kid can run, but he sure can't hide! So Knowshon went home to Jersey, chilled out and got refocused. Now he's back in Athens, refreshed and ready to go. And no you 'Anti-Dawgs', he didn't get sent home for disciplinary reasons. He just went home so he wouldn't get burned out and so he would be ready to "Burn You Up"!