Brett Favre has told the Minnesota Vikings that he won’t return to the National Football League this year or any other year in the future. He’s retired, period.
Wonder what Reebok and the NFL are going to do with all those FAVRE No. 4 Vikings jerseys that are already being sold in places like Shanghai and Hong Kong?
Oh well, that means Sage Rosenfels or Tarvaris Jackson or maybe even John David Booty will start at quarterback this year for the Vikings. While I, frankly, believe that Jackson was capable of being a winner two years ago, Vikings fans think otherwise so we’ll see what happens. But somehow, I don’t see the Vikes starting the season with any one of those three guys at the helm.
Call me crazy, but if Jackson was good enough last year, there would have no pursuit of Favre in the first place. Or even Rosenfels.
Meanwhile, Rosenfels has shown a great deal of maturity and class. In an interview with the St. Paul Pioneer Press, he said: “I don’t think it’s necessary to give me an explanation because I understand the situation. I’ve been around the league long enough. … I feel no animosity toward players or coaches.”
That’s a solid response to an otherwise difficult scenario. It’s hard not to root for the guy. But somehow, he just doesn’t appear to me to be the starter on a team that has Super Bowl aspirations. Call me crazy. Trent Dilfer of all people, won a Super Bowl in Baltimore, but I’m sure this Vikings team and its three-headed monster of Rosenfels/Jackson/Booty doesn’t strike fear into the hearts of the Bears or Packers.
And that’s why I still believe the Vikings are going to make some news before Sunday, Sept. 13. Whether that news is spelled F-A-V-R-E or V-I-C-K or something else altogether, I just can’t for the life of me see Sage Rosenfels or T-Jack under centre on Opening Sunday in Cleveland.
How about Favre coming in about Week 3 of training camp?
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THE OTHER MICHAEL
No not Michael Vick, Michael Bishop.
On Monday, the replacement for Lefty Lefors went to his first Winnipeg Blue Bombers practice and took nearly every snap. Still, head coach Mike Kelly hinted that (and I’m paraphrasing), “Oh, perhaps Michael won’t be ready to start on Saturday in Toronto and maybe, just maybe, we’ll go with Lefty again this week.”
Kelly is not insane. He was just playing the local rubes. ‘Cause if Bishop doesn’t start on Saturday at Rogers Centre, the Bombers will be down 5-0 before they can blink — and 5-0 oughtta do it with Lefors at QB.
If Michael Bishop isn’t the answer for the Bombers, Lefors still won’t be. If Bishop fails, Casey Printers will be on the next plane. As much as Mike Kelly likes and even admires Lefors, he’s not going to allow the guy to cost him his job.
And if the Lefors experiement isn’t over, it will. Cost Kelly his job, that is.
CFL NOTEBOOK: The Bombers released both DT Tyrone Wlliams and QB Richie Williams yesterday. A lot of Winnipeg newspaper space was wasted on those two clunkers… The Argos dealt Arland Bruce III to Hamilton for the rights to Corey Mace and some draft picks. That Argo outfit still has no offence. Trouble is, with Lefors at QB, six points was enough last week…
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FROM THE READERS:
Got the following note from Jason, a regular reader and listener, on Wednesday:
Mr. Taylor:
With the Goldeyes in first place heading into the final month of regular season Northern League baseball and playing some very exciting baseball these days, it bothers me that they get lost in the mix because of the Blue Bombers.
The Blue Bombers. One of sorriest excuses for a sports franchise, well, ever. Playing out of a building that’s falling apart and should’ve been torn down 10 years ago. A team that hasn’t won a Grey Cup in 19 years (in an 8-team league!). And this season will be no different, as the team stumbles their way through each game. (kind of makes me wonder why every football fan in this city isn’t desperate to see a new owner take over… what’s so great about community ownership again?)
Yet, it’s all the Winnipeg media talks about. The Winnipeg Goldeyes have a real good shot at bringing this city its first championship since 1994. It’s a team with a beautiful venue, rock-solid ownership, and greater value and entertainment for your dollar than a Blue Bombers game. Yet, this city seems to rarely give them the respect they deserve.
Does it frustrate you too?
- Jason
Jason,
The Goldeyes get tremendous support at Shaw TV, 1290 CFRW, Grassroots News, 92-CITI-FM and www.goldeyes.com.
Just make sure you read, watch and listen to what matters and don’t get caught up in the slow, agonizing death of old media.
Thanks for your note, Jason.