We've not been reporting on the whole 'B***t F***e situation' for a few days, figuring that news about the saga was starting to jade even the most ardent fanatics.
So here's a handy guide to some news from the last few days:
First of all, the Vikings were accused of tampering with Favre, an allegation that revolved around alleged discussions between the Quarterback and Vikes' coach Brad Childress. It emerged yesterday that Favre used a mobile phone contracted to the Packers, which would be a violation of salary cap rules.
Of course, the Packers won't mind getting a minor charge if it proves that the Vikings have been involved in a far more serious charge. Such an event could end any hopes that Minnesota had of prising Favre away from Green Bay, and could also see them punished in the vain of the 49ers, who lost a 5th round draft pick after being found guilty of tampering with Chicago's Lance Briggs last summer.
Also yesterday, the Packers were reported by The NFL Network to be actively shopping Favre around the league. Baltimore were (as we predicted) the first team that the Packers sought out, but their exploratory offer (thought to be a third round pick) was rejected before any serious talks began.
Other suitors who have contacted the Packers - according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel include Atlanta, Chicago, Tampa Bay, the Jets, Miami, Carolina, Kansas City, Washington, and Detroit.
So just about everyone then.
It also emerged today via ESPN.com's Chris Mortensen, that Commissioner Roger Goodell telephoned Packers GM Ted Thompson, and asked the team to resolve the Favre situation as soon as possible. This shift now places the onus onto the Packers to shop Favre around, something they have tried to avoid as they try to hardball Favre into staying retired.
Wednesday, 23 July 2008
Monday, 21 July 2008
Shockey to Saints for a 2nd and 5th round
Jeremy Shockey has finally moved to the Saints, pending a medical, for a 2009 2nd+5th round pick.
Reportedly the deal is the same one which was rejected by the Giants back in April, however it seems the offer has now been accepted.
Rumours of Shockey wanting to leave New York have been floating around for months, but it was only in late June when any sort of public confirmation came about when former team-mate Michael Strahan stated: "He doesn't want to be here, he doesn't want to play here"
Reportedly the deal is the same one which was rejected by the Giants back in April, however it seems the offer has now been accepted.
Rumours of Shockey wanting to leave New York have been floating around for months, but it was only in late June when any sort of public confirmation came about when former team-mate Michael Strahan stated: "He doesn't want to be here, he doesn't want to play here"
Taylor traded to Redskins
As we mentioned yesterday, ESPN.com's John Clayton was correct in his assertion that the 'Skins were planning a swoop for want-away DE Jason Taylor. Washington confirmed the signing yesterday, adding a key part to a Defensive line that has been largely ignored in both the draft and Free Agency for some time.
The cost? A second rounder in 2009, and a sixth in 2010. Whether that constitutes good value will largely be down to whether the team can convince Taylor to renege on his desire to play just one more year, something he stated earlier this offseason.
Interestingly, Redskins Executive Vice President Vinny Cerrato said that he was "100% positive that he (Taylor) will play longer than one year". The player's agent, Gary Wichard, was non-committal on the subject. If the team shows enough that Taylor is enthused by the potential, then he could stay. On the other hand, he will also be looking to cash in on his increased level of ubiquity since his 'Dancing with the Stars' appearance this year.
- Redskins DE Jason Taylor
It's a gamble for the Skins, because the fact is that, while Taylor will fill a short term void, there is a possibility of losing both Taylor and the second round pick at the end of the 2008 season.
The cost? A second rounder in 2009, and a sixth in 2010. Whether that constitutes good value will largely be down to whether the team can convince Taylor to renege on his desire to play just one more year, something he stated earlier this offseason.
Interestingly, Redskins Executive Vice President Vinny Cerrato said that he was "100% positive that he (Taylor) will play longer than one year". The player's agent, Gary Wichard, was non-committal on the subject. If the team shows enough that Taylor is enthused by the potential, then he could stay. On the other hand, he will also be looking to cash in on his increased level of ubiquity since his 'Dancing with the Stars' appearance this year.
"I love Miami [and] will always cherish my 11 years with the Dolphins," Taylor said in a statement. "Having said that, I'm looking forward to meeting with Mr. Snyder and getting to know my new coaches and teammates. I'm just proud to be representing our nation's capital as a Redskin."
- Redskins DE Jason Taylor
It's a gamble for the Skins, because the fact is that, while Taylor will fill a short term void, there is a possibility of losing both Taylor and the second round pick at the end of the 2008 season.
Sunday, 20 July 2008
Taylor destined for Redskins
John Clayton of ESPN.com has reported on a domino effect that will likely see Miami Defensive End Jason Taylor head to Washington.
The 'skins have been perenially terrible on the D-line for some time now, and the news that veteran DE Philip Daniels is likely out for the entire 2008 season with a torn ACL, has pushed 'Dan Snyder Airlines' back into business.
The Dolphins had asked for a first round pick prior to the draft this year, but there didn't seem to be much of a market for a player who has expressed his desire to play just one more year. We covered the Taylor situation back in June, and made it clear that in our eyes, there is no logic behind giving up a high draft pick for a player with a maximum of one year left in the league.
Of course, use of the word 'logic' is unheard of in any Redskins dealings, so this story might actually have legs. If the rumours are correct, then Washington could be in the situation next year where they have no Taylor, and no draft pick to replace him.
Incidentally, this week we will be posting the 2008 Season previews of the Cowboys, Eagles, Giants and Redskins.
The 'skins have been perenially terrible on the D-line for some time now, and the news that veteran DE Philip Daniels is likely out for the entire 2008 season with a torn ACL, has pushed 'Dan Snyder Airlines' back into business.
The Dolphins had asked for a first round pick prior to the draft this year, but there didn't seem to be much of a market for a player who has expressed his desire to play just one more year. We covered the Taylor situation back in June, and made it clear that in our eyes, there is no logic behind giving up a high draft pick for a player with a maximum of one year left in the league.
Of course, use of the word 'logic' is unheard of in any Redskins dealings, so this story might actually have legs. If the rumours are correct, then Washington could be in the situation next year where they have no Taylor, and no draft pick to replace him.
Incidentally, this week we will be posting the 2008 Season previews of the Cowboys, Eagles, Giants and Redskins.
Wednesday, 16 July 2008
Marquee players heading to Free Agency in 2009
Yesterday night was the deadline for teams to sign the players who were designated with the Franchise or Transition tags to multi-year deals. As of today, any players who had not agreed a contract are only eligible to sign their one year offers as part of the tag. While the money is good for a year, obviously many players are looking for long term security in a game where injury can end a career in an instant.
Of the players that have not already signed their single year deals, only Cowboys Safety Ken Hamlin came to an agreement on a long term contract, leaving a number of premier players in a position to cash in next season. In the main, players do not take kindly to being placed in (well paid) limbo, especially if the team subsequently lowballs them with a contract offer. The two players who have already signed long term deals after being franchised this year are Colts TE Dallas Clark, and Seahawks CB Marcus Trufant.
So next season, Raiders CB Nmandi Asamugha, Ravens DE Terrell Suggs, and Titans DT Albert Haynesworth will join players such as L.J Smith, Jordan Gross and Karlos Dansby in free agency.
All three of the players who failed to sign yesterday should be in for big pay days along the line. Suggs is probably the most productive player of any players left without a deal. He has also shown tremendous charcter, battling back from injuries, and has been relatively understanding about the team's decision to franchise him. Asamugha saw his production drop last season, but mainly as a result of teams' unwillingness to throw in his direction. Asamugha is still widely considered one of the very few elite CB's in the league today.
Of the players that have not already signed their single year deals, only Cowboys Safety Ken Hamlin came to an agreement on a long term contract, leaving a number of premier players in a position to cash in next season. In the main, players do not take kindly to being placed in (well paid) limbo, especially if the team subsequently lowballs them with a contract offer. The two players who have already signed long term deals after being franchised this year are Colts TE Dallas Clark, and Seahawks CB Marcus Trufant.
So next season, Raiders CB Nmandi Asamugha, Ravens DE Terrell Suggs, and Titans DT Albert Haynesworth will join players such as L.J Smith, Jordan Gross and Karlos Dansby in free agency.
All three of the players who failed to sign yesterday should be in for big pay days along the line. Suggs is probably the most productive player of any players left without a deal. He has also shown tremendous charcter, battling back from injuries, and has been relatively understanding about the team's decision to franchise him. Asamugha saw his production drop last season, but mainly as a result of teams' unwillingness to throw in his direction. Asamugha is still widely considered one of the very few elite CB's in the league today.
Rodgers receives Favre blessing
Buried away in the second installment of Brett Favre's FOX news interview, were his response to Aaron Rodgers, who told Green Bay fans last month to '...shut up and get on board', regarding his tenure with the Packers.
- Brett Favre speaks about his successor, Aaron Rodgers
Favre and Rodgers were never best friends, but neither was there ever any animosity between the two. Rodgers was aware from day one that there were no conflicting opinions amongst fans about who should be Green Bay starter if both men were healthy, and so has never griped or complained about the way he has been almost cast aside as an afterthought to Favre's annual retirement saga. This stoicism has endeared him to locals who know that even if Favre were to come back for one more year, sooner or later, the team needs to be handed to Rodgers.
Favre knows this now. If he were in any doubt, the fact that there are as many activists on both sides of the fence should make it clearer. Indeed, in response to one petition to bring him back, a reader informs us that there is a similiar campaign to keep him on the Golf course.
We got along fine. He's 14 years younger than me. I know he made some comments here lately. But when I was his age I made some crazy comments, too, so I can't hold that against him... It's got to be hard on him. My only advice to him, and I never gave him advice, really, would be that the only way to shut that up, we all know, is to go out and play and play well. And that's not to say that they would forget what I've done. But go out and prove it on the field. That's all I would say. I'm not sitting here bashing Aaron Rodgers. I think he'll do a fine job, and I think his comments are not a surprise. Not only from him, but I might have said the same thing.
- Brett Favre speaks about his successor, Aaron Rodgers
Favre and Rodgers were never best friends, but neither was there ever any animosity between the two. Rodgers was aware from day one that there were no conflicting opinions amongst fans about who should be Green Bay starter if both men were healthy, and so has never griped or complained about the way he has been almost cast aside as an afterthought to Favre's annual retirement saga. This stoicism has endeared him to locals who know that even if Favre were to come back for one more year, sooner or later, the team needs to be handed to Rodgers.
Favre knows this now. If he were in any doubt, the fact that there are as many activists on both sides of the fence should make it clearer. Indeed, in response to one petition to bring him back, a reader informs us that there is a similiar campaign to keep him on the Golf course.
Favre speaks part 2 - This time it's personal...
If the first part of Brett Favre's Fox News interview could be considered a tentative step into the ring, then Round 2 has seen the Green Bay Packers legend throw some haymakers at the team.
Asked by Greta Van Susteren if he was considering a return to the team in Training Camp, Favre said:
- Brett Favre speaking on Fox News
Uh oh! It's one thing to slate individual members of the front office, as he did on Monday, but to say that he's considering actively causing a problem for the football team? That's probably not the way to go about things when your biggest leverage comes from the way you have conducted yourself over a long career. On the other hand, perhaps the childlike, infectious enthusiasm for the game that we love about Favre, could also be the same mentality that makes him throw his toys out of the pram when he doesn't get his own way...
Favre did express sympathy with Aaron Rodgers, and in fact showed his support for Rodgers as Green Bay's starter next year.
- Favre on Aaron Rodgers
The problem for Rodgers is that, with Favre set on playing again next year, he will be compared to Favre constantly. That was always going to be the case, but it's a whole different kettle of fish when the guy you replaced is still playing in the league.
The one thing we can definately take from all of this is that the whole situation is headed towards a Steve McNair-esque confrontation. If Favre turns up, will the team even let him practice? One man who should know is McNair's agent, who in a happy coincidence, happens to be Favre's agent, James "Bus" Cook.
We'll have more from Green Bay throughout the day. Thanks to everyone who have sent emails of support, we appreciate all the comments we receive - both positive and negative.
Asked by Greta Van Susteren if he was considering a return to the team in Training Camp, Favre said:
"It's tempting just to, as everyone said, you know, call their bluff or whatever... I think it's going to be a circus in itself already, whether I go there, whatever."
- Brett Favre speaking on Fox News
Uh oh! It's one thing to slate individual members of the front office, as he did on Monday, but to say that he's considering actively causing a problem for the football team? That's probably not the way to go about things when your biggest leverage comes from the way you have conducted yourself over a long career. On the other hand, perhaps the childlike, infectious enthusiasm for the game that we love about Favre, could also be the same mentality that makes him throw his toys out of the pram when he doesn't get his own way...
Favre did express sympathy with Aaron Rodgers, and in fact showed his support for Rodgers as Green Bay's starter next year.
"I know this has been tough on him. I think he'll do a fine job. And this has nothing to do with him, this whole deal."
- Favre on Aaron Rodgers
The problem for Rodgers is that, with Favre set on playing again next year, he will be compared to Favre constantly. That was always going to be the case, but it's a whole different kettle of fish when the guy you replaced is still playing in the league.
The one thing we can definately take from all of this is that the whole situation is headed towards a Steve McNair-esque confrontation. If Favre turns up, will the team even let him practice? One man who should know is McNair's agent, who in a happy coincidence, happens to be Favre's agent, James "Bus" Cook.
We'll have more from Green Bay throughout the day. Thanks to everyone who have sent emails of support, we appreciate all the comments we receive - both positive and negative.
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