Brett Favre Retires; Like Everything Else, It's the Patriots Fault

It appears as though Brett Favre is retiring for what will likely be the final time. There seems to be no question why he retired. The Moss factor.

I find it less than coincidental that less than 24 hours after Randy Moss's deal to return to the Patriots was announced Favre's decision was made. Favre spent a good portion of last years offseason publicly asking that the Packers make the moves required to bring Moss to Green Bay. Green Bay apparently felt that Moss was not worth the 4th rounder that ended up pulling him out oh Oakland. (Hindsight is twenty-twenty, but that record setting season Moss put up in New England makes that 4th round pick look like a real bargain now.) With Moss leading the Free Agency market this offseason, Favre had to be hoping to see the Packers make the move they were to short sighted to see last season. Instead the Packers missed out on Moss and now, no matter what Aaron Rodgers does, they will miss the legend for years to come.


Though Favre has contemplated retirement during the past few offseasons, this time seems official. With a statement released by Packers GM Ted Thompson

Brett Favre has informed us of his intention to retire from the Green Bay
Packers and the NFL, he has had one of the greatest careers in the history of
the National Football League, and he is able to walk away from the game on his
own terms — not many players are able to do that.

The Brett Favre is the greatest thing since sliced bread comments continued from Thompson, but here at the Opinion that started a month ago with our letter that Brett must have missed. We can surely find some time to heap on more praise.

Favre gave the Packers the rare blessing of long running consistency of his 16 years in Green Bay, crushing the games-started streak and continuing it right up until the end of his career. The end of his career is certainly not the ride off into the sunset that one would dream up for a gritty legend. Favre ended a magical season by throwing an interception in overtime of the NFC Championship game. The teams season was a great one, made even more so by the fact it was unexpected. That interception being the final ball that Favre will wing down the field while scrambling under pressure is a little hard to swallow.

While it lacks the final moment Favre's Career was made up of those. Favre's overall numbers will lead to my kids likely, and their kids surely under appreciating him. But the moments , where he truly shined made up for the bad games and even the bad seasons. His greatness was not only so impressive but so fun to watch it made the hard times a little easier to swallow. (Note: I'm a Vikings fan so while I have enjoyed his magic, his hard times actually went down like bourbon for breakfast. In my world that's GRRRREAAAAT)

One of his finest moments wasn't that long ago. If you didn't have the pleasure of seeing the Monday Night Football game that Favre played against the Raiders mere hours after his father's passing, it was inspiring. He threw for 5 million yards and every thing he put up there was escorted by angels and the almighty himself to the hands of his receivers. Ok that might be a little grander than it actually was but the second most interesting thing in that game was listening to Madden call the game. He went nuclear-Fanboy about Favre. basically describing his play as divine he was gushing so much.

I have to say while the fans will be saddened I think Madden is going to be crushed, unless they get Favre in the booth which just might make his life. The saddest person though will be Frank Caliendo, since the only funny impersonation he does is Madden gushing about Favre.

Barry Bonds Sinks To A New Low

While both of Barry Bonds fans wait, along with the millions who despise him, for him to sign with another club. Rumors are surfacing that he may be finding a new low. and by new low I mean a place that is still too good for him. Fanhouse is reporting that Barry is not ready to retire. If no Major League teams want his bat in their lineup, he will look to play over seas. Barry has a few strikes against him; his looming indictment for perjury, his ties to the steroids era, his black hole of a personality; and his lack of mobility in the outfield.

Bonds, the all-time home run champ, would on the surface be an easy pick-up. He still has power at the plate, as well as box office power. He is no doubt a hall of fame caliber player, but a lot of that is past him now.

Denials of his steroid use to federal investigators got Bonds a perjury indictment receently. Media attention has been drawn away by Roger Clemens and the Mitchell report. General Mangers it seems do not follow the media, and have opinions of their own. Bonds agent has taken to "driving from training camp to training camp in Florida, hoping to persuade a general manager of some major-league club to give Bonds a new opportunity"

While the indictment creates playing time, courtroom appearance conflicts. The larger issue for the General Managers my be the actual issue of steroids. No GM wants his team and clubhouse associated with steroids. It ould clearly be a gamble to have the greates hitter of the modern era wearing your uniform if the steroid allegations finally stuck.

As the Bonds approaches his twilight, he doesn't seem suited to the path that most diminishing veterans take. Clubhouse mentor just doesn't fit Bonds, from his public fued with Jeff Kent. to his general Vader like presence in a locker room. When beat writers are dropping quotes like "a reporter who visited the home clubhouse at Fenway Park when the Giants played in Boston in June was struck by the jocularity and fellowship inside a room populated by youngsters and superstars who together won a World Series four months later. It was a stark contrast to the way the Giants tiptoed through Bonds' clubhouse." you know you are a parriah.

The final piece to the Bonds puzzle is his ever decreasing mobility. His defense is lacking, no longer able to cover as much ground in the outfield. With diminshed speed on the base paths, he is not far removed from the David Ortiz Homerun or a single scenario. This leaves him only available to teams in need of a DH and even amongst that small group a team would have to be desperate to take on all the other baggage.

Would you take Barry on your team??

Guest Post: Keyshawn Johnson NFL or ESPN

Guest posting again for GridironGoddess. The voices in my head debate where we want our Keyshawn Johnson

Whats the Real Reason Bobby Knight Is Leaving

I don't mean to be a cynic here. I am actually a huge fan of Bobby Knight. I am a very fiery guy. I see how Knight gets as riled up and frustrated as he does. I can even understand his reactions, even though I know they are over the top sometimes. I do have questions about his abrupt departure.



He is being replaced by his son, Pat Knight. Pat was named as his fathers succesor in 2005. With the history that Bob has I can't help but wonder. Is he departing amidst some as of yet unknown problem. By leaving now is he ensuring that the head spot would still be available to his son. I really have no reason other than past history to suspect something other than "just because" as the reasoning for Bob Knights departure.



The biggest thing that makes me question this whole thing is the following ridiculous comments "There's a transition that's going to take place here from me to Pat and I've dwelt on this all year long ... how it would be best for him and for the team and for what we can do in the long run to make this the best thing for Texas Tech," Knight told the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, which first reported the resignation. Really!?, Bob you decided "...how it would be best for him and for the team..." would be to leave in the middle of the season. Sounds totally reasonable.

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Open letter from a Viking fan to Brett Favre

Dear Mr. Favre, (After all we've been through that feels a little formal)
Dear Brett,
I know things have been rocky for us. We've had our ups and downs. Most of the ups yours and most of the downs mine. But hey who doesn't. I am willing to look past all the last second throws, the barely slipping from John Randle's grasp. The tosses barely clearing Orlando Thomas fingers.
But our relationship improved. Everyone said you only thought of yourself but I knew you cared. You gave a little, there were some wins for me to savor as well. I know it was hard for you, I could see it on your face. Their you were watching Moss with jealousy from across the field.
Lately you have been back to your old ways. Everything for you and your boys and nothing to savor on my side. Your friends even went so far as to hurt my new 'mate Adrian .
Let me shout this clearly. I don't care, I want you back. I can't stand the idea of having the NFL without you. Trust me I am risking some serious alienation by my fellow Purple People Eater's.
Again I don't care. I am reasonable, I am not asking for 10 more years, not even 5.
Just give me, give all of us, one more season. To enjoy the magic and the mastery.