Quick hits

Heart wants the Republicans to stop using Barracuda. The original songwriter feels otherwise. The convention paid the ASCAP fees and the writer gets a royality every time the song is played. The writer is going to donate the profits to the Democratic party. As such, the Republicans are supporting the Democrats!

For the second time, experts have lowered their predictions as to the sea rise due to global warming. What happened? Did Mike Moore get out?

Favre scored a touchdown on a 4th and 13 leading the Jets to a victory over the Dolphins. Shit.

No Oops I Did It Again for Brtiney. The VMA's open with a Britney sketch . . . no song. I guess drunk fat and stupid IS no way to go through life.

Brett Favre

I actually had a post ready to go on Favre's retirement. But, I got sick and couldn't even look at my computer. I know, I know! That's sick . . . in many ways. Anyway, like many, the original news seemed vague and talked about some possible miscommunication. So, my initial thought was, oh, really?

Well, as we know now, yes, really.

I watched the replay of his press conference. I gotta tell you, I was crying. I really felt for him. In as much as I thought he thought this was the right decision to make it still had to be one of the more difficult decisions he's ever made. He feels as though he can still play, and probably wants to, but just can't take on the enormous emotional and mental toll it takes. That's pretty honest. He had every opportunity to simply say he wants to be with his family, he's getting old, the injuries hurt too much, but he didn't. He told us from his heart. The same way he played the game.

Tom Pippins made a comment about his press conference. That he tossed the idea of a prepared speech for the one he gave. Tom felt Brett stayed true to himself right to the very end. A freelancer on the field, a freelancer at the press conference. I couldn't agree more.

After his statement Brett answered questions for a bit. I thought all of his answers were well stated. Humble and from the heart.

So, what now? Again, I think there's a lot to be hopeful for in Aaron Rogers. He's got quite an arm and may surprise us. As for Brett . . . tv analyst? I doubt it. Brett seems like he'll be happy spending this time with his family. Not that he couldn't do it. If such morons as Steve Young and Emmit Smith (with all due respect to their past professions) can get the gig, Brett certainly could. It takes a certain egomaniac to want to get in to that area of broadcast and while it fits most of who do it, it wouldn't fit Favre. I'm sure we'll see Warren Saap on ESPN soon.

Anyway, thank you Brett. For what you brought to football, the NFL, the Green Bay Packers, and to us fans. Take back and enjoy your life now. I wish you all the best.

Packers vs Broncos

I hate to admit it, but I picked against the Packers this week. I still managed 11 correct over at Fraley's blog besting everyone else. In fact, at the WISN contest, I'm 29 out of about 650. In the upper 95%! Not bad. Anyway . . .

I certainly wouldn't have wanted to be Bigby had the Packers lost. Granted, there was lots of football after he committed his fouls (something like 60 yards of penalties all by himself!) but his penalties were just stupid. Plus, he looked a little like he didn't care. Something that doesn't go over well with Packer fans.

Over shadowing that, though, was Favre's performance and the touchdown passes he threw. You love him, you hate him. You get it all with Favre. Can you imagine? Going from complete fist pumping elation when Elam nailed his field goal to total devastation one offensive play later.

Denver might be mile high, but Green Bay is feeling higher today.

Favre, the greatest ever?

This was the topic of discussion on the radio this afternoon. I didn't hear the entire segment but what I did hear about 3 said "yes" and about 3 said "no". For various reasons. Of course, not only are the Packers 4 and 0, but Brett has broken a couple of long standing records and will surely set new ones that won't be broken anytime soon . . . if ever. So, is he the greatest quarterback of all time?

On the one hand, he has only one Superbowl win. Let's not forget how god awful he can look. Also, he's not that accurate. It's safe to say he's no Joe Montana.

But . . .

He absolutely personifies the game. He's quick to get on his receivers for blowing a route and quick to pat the helmet of whoever put a good hit on him. Everybody likes him. Everybody. He's well respected. While his numbers prove he's deserving of a place in football history and the Hall of Fame, it's his attitude and love of the game that truly defines him. When I think of the other great quarterbacks, Montana, Bradshaw, Fouts, Marino . . . I can't help but think that part of their greatness came from the rest of their team, their receivers, and running backs. Favre makes a team great all by himself. Like the others, he's best when he has a supporting cast. But he's great all by himself. If you look at his carreer with the Packers, I don't think you could say he's ever had a Rice, Winslow, Duper, or Swann equivalent on the team. I mean no disrespect. I just think that the Packer's success has been largely due to Brett Favre.

Because of that, yes. I think he's the greatest ever to play the position.