Streak Must Continue



How dare he consider benching Favre

As the Vikings 2010 season continues to circle the toilet, Brett Favre and Brad Childress are entering an epic showdown. Favre, with two fractures in his ankle, wants to give playing "a try" on Sunday against New England and keep his 291 consecutive games played streak alive. Chilly isn't sure he wants to give him that chance.

Despite everything Favre's been through the last few years, the streak has always been the biggest part of his legacy. He's played with every injury under the sun. There's a reason he was hooked on Vicodin years ago. For the last 20 years, if you couldn't believe in anything else, believe in Favre under center on Sunday.

Now Brad Childress, of all people, wants to come in and say "I've gotta do what's best for this team." What's best for the team is having the guy everyone bent over backwards for play quarterback. If Chilly thinks he's going to get back control of the team by making a stand against a banged-up Favre, he's dumber than he looks and sounds. Benching Favre mid-season is a worse move than sending guys to Mississippi to corner him into coming back and lying about it.

Chilly won't bench Favre. He would like to but he knows he can't do it. As long as Favre isn't down with a season/career-ending, surgery-requiring injury, he will be the Vikings quarterback. Chilly is the last guy to make that call with the mockery he's made of his position over the last two years. Favre now runs the team, Childress. He got you a $15 million extension (the dumbest move of the past decade, just ahead of JaMarcuss Russell.) If Favre doesn't want to play, then look to TJack. But that won't happen because the only thing he has left is the streak. Until Favre shuts it down himself you're stuck with him. It's exactly what you wanted, Chilldress.

NFL Needs To Be Careful

There's a lot the NFL needs to be careful of these days. Number one is still avoiding a lockout next year, but this week's topic is avoiding changing how the game we love is played.   The NFL is stepping in with fines, and possible suspensions, on what they deem "dirty" hits. They need to be very careful on how they go about with these fines and how to protect players without ruining the game and product on the field.

I've sat on this dilemma for a minute or two and I'm ready to go helmet-to-helmet on it.

The NFL was wrong to fine James Harrison $75 grand for the hits he put on two Browns receivers. He should quote Col. Nathan Jessep in A Few Good Men, "I did my job and I'll do it again." That's how Harrison plays football, that's how he became Defensive Player of the Year, and he should be concerned with how the league is going to be enforcing these rules. Harrison was simply a scapegoat after last weekend.

If both Browns players, Josh Cribbs and Mohamed Massaquoi, weren't concussed, Harrison doesn't get fined. It's not even an issue. But because they suffered concussions, people were up in arms. I seen harder, bigger hits on kickoffs. I don't want to down play the magnitude of Harrison's hits on Cribbs and Massaquoi, they were BIG, but they happen in nearly every game.

An example of a play that nobody paid any attention because there wasn't a concussion: Eagles-Redskins game. Redskins kicking off to Jorrick Calvin. Phillip Daniels, #93 for the Redskins, a DE, absolutely blows him up with a helmet-to-helmet that was the biggest hit I saw that weekend. I rewound it 4-5 times. But Calvin hopped right up (somehow) and ran off the field. That same hit probably concusses another player. I have scoured the internet looking for it but because it was just a standard 20-yard return it's vanished into thin air, with the hundreds of other hits that may now be fineable, if someone is knocked out of the game. I never saw it on a highlight. (Maybe it was featured on "jack'ed up," I don't know, I don't watch MNF pregame.)

The hits last weekend need to be addressed. When I saw the Dunta Robinson hit on DeSean Jackson, I squirmed. I don't want to see hits like that, especially when both players are down, not moving. But it's part of the NFL, and to a certain extent, unavoidable. NO player should launch with the helmet into the helmet of a defenseless receiver but the line is so fine it's easy to see why people like Harrison are concerned with how they can be effective without getting fined, or suspended.

We all want to see the players protected but the players themselves don't seem to think it's necessary. Obviously the defensive players think it's a bad idea but even Josh Cribbs told Jim Rome, "It's part of the game, which I love dearly. It's what we signed up for." That last sentence seems to be the mantra for ALL NFL players. They know what can happen out there, they signed up to be a part of it, and are paid well to put themselves in harm's way.

Another way to avoid these hits on defenseless receivers like Jackson, Massaquoi and Jordan Shipley a few weeks ago is for QBs not to hang them out to dry. More blame goes to the QB on those hits than anyone wants to say.

Big hits, "dirty hits," egregious hits, whatever you want to call them, are not new to the NFL. The league overreacted after a weekend that featured what they felt were too many. The NFL needs to be very careful on how they go about "protecting their players." Like the NBA with its new technical foul policy, the league may think it's doing people a favor but the product we're watching will be effected and compromised.

The NFL must be clear on how they want to enforce these rules and releasing a video mid-week might not be the best option. I still don't know if Dunta Robinson's hit was illegal or not. Some say yes (league,) others say no (players, analysts.) I'm okay with a fine for that one and Brandon Meriweather's hit on Todd Heap. But what happens when a ref ejects or suspends someone for a questionable hit? A whole new storm will blow into town.

We all want players to be safe, and dirty hits can't be tolerated but the NFL might have let this go too far to do anything about it. Trying to teach everyone how to tackle differently, and less effectively for some, after they've succeed doing it another way is ludicrous. On top of that, each person has a different opinion on what's a dirty hit. Policing egregious hits and helmet-to-helmet contact will be an arduous task, as will maintaining the health of the players and the integrity of the league.

It's Still on Favre

He's Back.

When the Vikings couldn't land Vincent Jackson a couple of weeks ago, the season looked like a loss until at least Sidney Rice got back on the field. And even then it probably was too far gone to be saved.

Brett Favre's lack of confidence in his receivers was all too apparent in the first three games. His attitude screamed "I wish is was back in Mississippi. Damn you, Jared and Hutch for backing me into a corner and agreeing to this."

His chucking the ball straight in the air down field to Bernard Berrian, only to be intercepted numerous times, was equivalent to sending up a flare. A distress signal to management, fans, teammates: This is what happens without a decent receiver on the other end. Something must be done.

Zygi and Chili were listening. They tried hard to land Jackson but nothing short of multiple No. 1 picks was going to satisfy Chargers GM A.J. Smith. So they came up empty-handed, beat the Lions and went on the bye week. Favre had a couple more weeks to get on the same page with his junior varsity receivers and gear up for a brutal stretch of games. Little did the public know Chili, the sly old dog, was targeting the biggest star the Vikings ever had, Randy Moss.

Bringing in Moss, who is looking for a contract extension, indicates the Vikings know it's now or never. 2010 with Favre is the last chance they have for a long while. They needed a big-time receiver and they needed him NOW.

This is the same guy Favre wanted Green Bay to sign in 2007. He's still on top of the game and can deliver on deep routes as well as anyone. There are no more excuses for Favre. If getting Moss doesn't snap him out of his "I wish I weren't here" funk, nothing will. He must start playing better or he will receive the blame. And whatever doesn't go to him goes to Childress.

Luckily Bill Belichick wanted to get something in return for Moss and what he got was a third round pick. The Patriots had no intention of re-signing him after the season and Moss made that clear by saying numerous times "this will probably be my last season with the Patriots."

Fans in Minnesota rejoiced when the referee-soaking, meter maid-swiping, "play-when-I-want-to," "straight cash"-paying receiver returned to them. As well they should. This is the only shot they have and need all the help they can get.

"Favre to Moss!" sounds good and it will be heard a lot if the Vikings are to make a run this year.

Fix Sunday Ticket Now

NFL Sunday Ticket is a wonderful thing but it's a rip off and a monopoly. Way too much for one house. They need to make it cheaper and give it to all other providers. Why does DirectTV get to horde it? I'd like the anti-trust guys who looked into Microsoft to look into this. Let more people enjoy a reasonably priced product. Thirty bucks a month, that's half of what it is now. The whole season for $120 - done.

This has gotta be connected to the potential lockout some way. Too much money going one place. Figure this broadcasting problem out along with the black-out and lack of stadium participation. All this is tied up together with the rest of the billions of dollars that might shut this thing down next year.

Let me say this: I've put my head in the sand on this lockout thing. I don't buy it, don't want to hear about it, don't believe it. Only when it's actually shut down will I buy it. These owners and player representatives are smart, based on the positions they hold, they have to be. So how could they be dumb enough to shut down the most popular league in sports?

BUT THE POINT WAS.... you don't need Sunday Ticket some weeks. Not if you're in the Des Moines/Central Iowa region tomorrow. The four best games are on the locals.

No. 4: Giants at Colts - NBC Sunday night
I'm not into the Manning Bowl hype but would like to see where these teams are at. I'll take the Colts here.

No. 3: Bears at Cowboys - FOX 12:00
If the Cowboys start 0-2 people will be up in arms. The Bears will show their true colors here. I'm going with Bum's son, like everyone else.

No. 2: Dolphins at Vikings - CBS 12:00
Dolphins are an intriguing team. I like watching their personnel and Sparano on the sidelines, yelling. Home opener in Minnesota. The Favre and Chili Show is back in town! Take the Vikings.

No. 1: Patriots at Jets - CBS 3:15
Seems like everyone is taking the Pats here but I'm going Jets. I'm with the home team in a bitter division rivalry. I haven't been convinced the Pats are back to '07 form after one game against the Bengals, who played like dogs in the first half and gave away the game easy and early. Jets run it better, play tough D and squeak out a close one, 16-13.

The best game I don't get: Ravens at Bengals. Division game - means a lot to both teams. Cincinnati can't fall in that 0-2 hole. If so, they'll never get out. The other division game, only 3 this weekend, is Bucs at Panthers. Hard-hitting NFC South action. I'm going Ravens and Panthers in those two.

Other notables:
Texans at Redskins - which team is for real? Either? Redskins to win
Steelers at Titans - Pittsburgh is dinged up and Titans could be rolling this year. Titans win at home.

Vikings Need Jackson

Vincent Jackson is available. If traded by next Wednesday he will only miss four games instead of six. Teams should be on this like Rex Ryan on a bag of peanut M&Ms.



Pick him up!

 San Diego won't make it easy and I doubt they want to move him at all. He would have to sit out a total of five games with the Chargers, and based on his holdout and adamant stance, he doesn't want to play there. So if San Diego does want a first-round and later-round pick for him, the Vikings should do it. Here's why:

1)  His $9 million contract is chump change to the Wilfs. They threw more money at Favre this year for the hell of it. They were paying Sage Rosenfels $4 mil to be inactive on gamedays.

2)  They don't even use their first-round picks. Last year they just gave Detroit Jahvid Best by passing on their late first-round pick. Best scored two touchdowns in his first game. If they got Jackson, it would be another high-twenty pick anyway. If it's the 2012 first-rounder they want, fine. You'll need a receiver who makes the quarterback better, not the other way around, at that point anyway.

3) We don't know the health status of Sidney Rice. Everyone assumes he'll be 100 percent when he comes back. That's a big assumption. Just like thinking he could get through the season without having surgery in the first place, which backfired in training camp. Harvin will most likely miss a few games here and there. His migraines are allegedly "under control" but is on the injury report already with a hip.

4)  Bernard Berrian, Greg Camarillo and Greg Lewis cannot carry your passing game. Berrian can't play, Lewis can't even get on the field with this crew and Camarillo is still learning the offense. They need major help.

5)  With the four game suspension, and a bye in Week 4, there will be plenty of time for Jackson to learn the system and get comfortable with Favre.

6)  The addition of Jackson may bring Favre out of the depressed, my-receivers-suck state he's in. It's like he's about to cry every time he talks about the passing game. Jackson is a top-5 receiver with a good QB. He's better than Rice, who Favre cries about not being there. Imagine Jackson on one side, Rice on the other, Shaincoe hangin' out down the middle and Harvin in the slot. Very tough.

7)  Minnesota must do something to improve on last year. They can't rest on last year's success.

8)  Finally, I'm under the assumption the Vikings are trying to win a Super Bowl NOW. Favre is done after this year, therefore eliminating the Vikings from contention next year (based on their QB status). That means they need to do everything they can this year, which means trading for a premiere receiver. That may mean over paying slightly, but this is the last chance for a while in Minnesota. Two first-rounders maybe too much, but Mark Wilf and Rick Spielman need to find a way to make it happen.

National Over-Reaction League

The most wonderful week of the year has now come and gone. The NFL is back in full swing, and it's a glorious sight. And with that comes the over-reactions to every team's win or loss each week.

Glenn Dorsey played great last night

Let's look at the four "upsets." Kansas City over San Diego, Washington over Dallas, Seattle over San Francisco and Houston over Indianapolis.

All were somewhat unexpected but were they really that surprising? All were divisional games won by the home team. As Brian Billick reminded viewers during another near/shouldabeen upset, Detroit/Chicago, winning a division game on the road is "the hardest thing in sports."

With those wins come the over-reactions by the fans and media. "Dallas won't win a game!" "Look at how great the Chiefs are!" "It's the Texans' year to get over on the Colts!" "Pete Carroll is a genius!"

There are certain truths to all the over-reactions from the games. Dallas did play like garbage. But they probably just need a little more time to knock the rust off. The Colts defense just got ran over to the tune of a NFL record (first player to go over 200 yards and 3 TDs in the opener). But those games meant more to the Redskins and Texans than vice-versa.

Kansas City made some big, splash plays on special teams, had a long run and its defense looked much improved but they passed for just 68 yards. KC converted 1 of 11 third downs. They were outgained 389-197 on offense. San Diego was missing three of its best players in the middle of a downpour. Malcolm Floyd slipped twice at the goal line in the final minute that may have tied the game.

Oh, well. A win is a win. Kudos to the Chiefs for getting it done. They made more plays than the Chargers. But let's not put the Chiefs in the playoffs just yet. Same goes for the Texans and Seahawks. To use an old, over-used cliche "there's a lot of football to be played."

Despite the over-reactions being a bit much and sometimes off-base, it once again shows the power of the NFL. Each game means so much, even game one. The passion and pride generated is why we love this league. A win in Week 1 may not get a team to the Super Bowl but it sure feels like it can.

NFC North Preview

People could argue this is the best division in football. I could be one of those people. This year features two premiere teams, an underachieving, highly-scrutinized team and a team that went 0-16. All areas are covered. At least the Lions appear to be trying now.

GREEN BAY 12-4

Rodgers - MVP?

A lot of signs are pointing to the Pack this year. The Aaron Rodgers discussion is over. There's no real doubt he has what it takes. Playoff wins are a must to put him in the elite group but because he played so well in last year's loss you can determine he's not a Romo, a player who folds up shop come playoff time.

The Green Bay offense will be firing on all cylinders with a healthy line. With any resemblance of a running game and adequate time, Rodgers will hurt you with precision down the field. Taking sacks has been an issue for years with Rodgers. Taking away his primary read allows more time for the pass rush to get there. Well-timed blitzes can work, as it did for Arizona in last year's playoff loss. Speaking of that ...

Giving up 51 points in a playoff game demands attention be paid to the defense in the offseason. Attention was paid. Unfortunately it was the wrong kind and it resulted in top-notch nose tackle Johnny Jolly being arrested and getting suspended the entire season. Last year's top-ten pick B.J. Raji will have to fill the spot. Aaron Kampman is no longer on the end after struggling to find an effective spot in last year's new scheme.

It will be the second year in Dom Capers' 3-4 defense. It has shown the ability to get pressure and force turnovers. The corners are getting older and Al Harris is still recovering from his spleen injury and starts the year on the PUP list.

The defense won't have to do much. Rodgers and company will cruise through the regular season and into the playoffs. It could be an MVP year for Rodgers.

MINNESOTA 10-6

Does he even care this year?

Brett Favre is back but doesn't look the least bit interested in being there. He's spent much of his time this preseason talking about how there's no way he plays as well as he did last year. How everything went right and there's no shot it can happen like that again. He's right but does he need to be so focused on letting everyone know a letdown is coming?

The Sidney Rice loss will hurt slightly but people must remember Favre turned him into a Pro Bowler. He clearly has the tools and ability but without someone putting it on him down the field consistently, he's just another guy. Greg Camarillo will be a nice addition for the receivers. Hopefully Percy Harvin will be on the field each week. On top of the migraines, he's always taking huge hits. He's one of the toughest young players in the league.

Adrian Peterson must prove he belongs in the upper echelon of running backs again. His fumbling has become a major problem and team have shown the ability to shut him down. Defensively, the Vikings will use the same formula they always have - rely on the front four to cause havoc and stop the run. Getting E.J. Henderson back at LB will be big for Minnesota.

The Vikings still have a very solid team, it will just depend on Favre's motivation. The schedule isn't nearly as easy as last year's, especially the beginning. If Favre loses interest, or his problems with Chili continue to fester, it could be a disappointing year in the Twin Cities.

CHICAGO 7-9

A day Bears fans may wish to forget

The Bears have been swimming in mediocrity for the last three years and fans shouldn't expect it to change this year. Despite some impressive moves in the offseason, notably signing Julius Peppers for $91 million, the Bears fate lies in Jay Cutler's hands. And that doesn't inspire confidence.

Cutler threw a league-high 26 interceptions last year. While the receiving corps is average at best, Cutler hasn't shown the signs of being a leader so far in his career. He needs to make the receivers better, not blame them for inexperienced mistakes.

Enter Mike Martz as offensive coordinator. This could be a volatile combination. Cutler has proven to be a difficult personality to deal with and mixing with Martz may cause additional problems. Martz will demand a lot, and Cutler hasn't been able to live up to high expectations in the past.

Teaming Peppers with Tommie Harris on the right side of the defensive line creates a tough combo. The linebackers must pull their weight but team leader Brian Urlacher, who missed all of last season, has already went down in the preseason. His time could be up as a top LB. Rod Marinelli is running the defense this year and will need a lot of big plays and consistency to stay in games.

Lovie Smith will be on the hot seat all year. Chicago is desperate for a winner and continue to have high expectations with its new acquisitions. The Bears will be competitive, just not to the tune its fans would like.

DETROIT 4-12

This needs to be avoided

After making history in 2008, the Lions and Jim Schwartz began the climb out of the deepest hole any franchise had ever been in. Last year was rocky, to be expected with a depleted roster, rookie QB and first-year head coach, but they scraped together two wins. Another productive offseason and draft should get the Lions a few more wins this year.

Matthew Stafford will be expected to be much improved in his second campaign. He will have to cut down on interceptions and stay healthy. Detroit picked up a few pieces in WR Nate Burlson, TE Tony Scheffler and draft pick RB Jahvid Best. All will help the offense and free up Calvin Johnson to make plays.

Schwartz went out and got Kyle Vanden Bosch and drafted Ndamukong Suh to sure up a very weak defensive line. No one gave up more points last year than the Lions (494) and will have to dramatically improve in order to have a chance. Look for another year of growth from Detroit.