Miles apart? That was a week ago.
Sunday night saw Packers revelation Ryan Grant agree to a 4 year deal that could see Grant pocket a cool $30m, with $4.25m guaranteed. The move hurts second year Brandon Jackson, who had excelled with the first string in Grant's absence, although depending on exactly how well he did, Jackson still figures to beat out DeShawn Wynn and Vernand Morency in the crowded Green Bay backfield.
Monday, 4 August 2008
Panthers WR Smith suspended by team
Following his end of week fight with team-mate CB Ken Lucas, star receiver Steve Smith has now been hit by the franchise - with a two game suspension. League rules entitle teams to internally suspend players for up to 4 games for conduct detrimental to the team.
Since Lucas was signed by the Panthers in 2005, he and Smith have regularly had verbal disputes in front of the press, but have never come to blows - at this time, it is unclear what caused tempers to boil over. Smith will miss the season opener at San Diego on September 7, and the home opener the following Sunday (14th) against Chicago.
Since Lucas was signed by the Panthers in 2005, he and Smith have regularly had verbal disputes in front of the press, but have never come to blows - at this time, it is unclear what caused tempers to boil over. Smith will miss the season opener at San Diego on September 7, and the home opener the following Sunday (14th) against Chicago.
Brandon Marshall out for 2-3 games
According to various NFL sources reported on NFL.com earlier today, starting Broncos WR Brandon Marshall is to be suspended for the first 3 games of the season, reduced to 2 if he voluntarily undertakes counselling for his recent off-field behaviour.
For Broncos fans, we suspect that they will be hoping that if Marshall does receive support from the league, Jay Cutler will be willing to provide him with a second chance after previously saying he needs to get himself together.
Wide-right believes that if Marshall only suffers a 2 game suspension, he will come back for the remainder of the season with a chip on his shoulder and a point to prove. If he takes the full 3 game suspension, expect the trade rumours to start circulating in Denver.
For Broncos fans, we suspect that they will be hoping that if Marshall does receive support from the league, Jay Cutler will be willing to provide him with a second chance after previously saying he needs to get himself together.
Wide-right believes that if Marshall only suffers a 2 game suspension, he will come back for the remainder of the season with a chip on his shoulder and a point to prove. If he takes the full 3 game suspension, expect the trade rumours to start circulating in Denver.
Sunday, 3 August 2008
Live Craziness Tonight
Oh Brett, what are you doing?
Brett Favre, at loggerheads with the Green Bay Packers for some time now over his desire to un-retire from the NFL and play for the team, is just 90mins away from landing in Wisconsin.
According to multiple sources, Favre will not attend tonight's scheduled practice at Lambeau field. The practice is a 'family night' and has been sold out for some time now. Instead, it is likely that he will (attempt to?) take part in Monday's 1pm session of Training Camp.
Commisioner Roger Goodell has apparently re-instated Favre, or at least expressed that such a move is imminent to both sides. Although Sunday is not technically a working day in the NFL's calendar, it seems that Goodell has either accepted Favre's reinstatement papers, or will do so early tommorow morning.
Stay tuned. That's all we're saying...
Brett Favre, at loggerheads with the Green Bay Packers for some time now over his desire to un-retire from the NFL and play for the team, is just 90mins away from landing in Wisconsin.
According to multiple sources, Favre will not attend tonight's scheduled practice at Lambeau field. The practice is a 'family night' and has been sold out for some time now. Instead, it is likely that he will (attempt to?) take part in Monday's 1pm session of Training Camp.
Commisioner Roger Goodell has apparently re-instated Favre, or at least expressed that such a move is imminent to both sides. Although Sunday is not technically a working day in the NFL's calendar, it seems that Goodell has either accepted Favre's reinstatement papers, or will do so early tommorow morning.
Stay tuned. That's all we're saying...
Live Football tonight
Hallelujah. It's been a long 6 months for most of us. Sure there's the draft, and there's Free Agency, and hey, Brett Favre did his bit to keep things interesting. Once we even watched CFL, things were that desperate.
But nothing compares to seeing the NFL live - even in a preseason game.
Tonight the Indianapolis Colts and Washington Redskins will contest the Hall of Fame matchup in Canton, Ohio. The game follows the induction of Darrell Green, Art Monk, Gary Zimmerman, Thurman Thomas, Andre Tippett, and Fred Dean into the Hall of Fame in Canton. That ceremony was held yesterday.
It's easy to doubt the value of preseason games to players - seeing as how most starters will play a quarter at most - but to the average fan (or manic obsessive like wide-right), there is nothing like the excitement that starts to build around this time of year.
For UK viewers, the game is live on Sky Sports 2 at 1am.
But nothing compares to seeing the NFL live - even in a preseason game.
Tonight the Indianapolis Colts and Washington Redskins will contest the Hall of Fame matchup in Canton, Ohio. The game follows the induction of Darrell Green, Art Monk, Gary Zimmerman, Thurman Thomas, Andre Tippett, and Fred Dean into the Hall of Fame in Canton. That ceremony was held yesterday.
It's easy to doubt the value of preseason games to players - seeing as how most starters will play a quarter at most - but to the average fan (or manic obsessive like wide-right), there is nothing like the excitement that starts to build around this time of year.
For UK viewers, the game is live on Sky Sports 2 at 1am.
Friday, 1 August 2008
Panther Smith Clocks Teammate
News reaches us of a scrap involving Carolina's mercurial Wide Receiver Steve Smith, and teammate Ken Lucas during a Friday practice session.
According to AP, Lucas left the field with an ice pack over his eye, after Smith had to be pulled off the Cornerback by second year Linebacker Jon Beason. Smith was ejected from practice by coach John Fox, and was later seen speaking to Lucas at the behest of fellow WR Muhsin Muhammed.
The team has yet to release a statement on the issue, though Smith has already served a 1 match suspension in 2002 for attacking another teammate during a film session. We think that any action the team takes now may be slightly different, however, as Smith essentially holds the key to whether Carolina can make the playoffs in 2008.
According to AP, Lucas left the field with an ice pack over his eye, after Smith had to be pulled off the Cornerback by second year Linebacker Jon Beason. Smith was ejected from practice by coach John Fox, and was later seen speaking to Lucas at the behest of fellow WR Muhsin Muhammed.
The team has yet to release a statement on the issue, though Smith has already served a 1 match suspension in 2002 for attacking another teammate during a film session. We think that any action the team takes now may be slightly different, however, as Smith essentially holds the key to whether Carolina can make the playoffs in 2008.
Favre could stay retired
Wow.
News has broken that in a text message to ESPN's Ed Werder, Brett Favre is seriously considering the team's offer of a $20m package that would see him not play in the NFL again. The package is now also said to hold a lifetime role for Favre within the organisation.
The news is unexpected, to say the least. Favre seems set on playing, and has even indicated to Werder that he wants to play - if not with the Packers - for another NFC North team. In his own words:
- Brett Favre via Text to ESPN's Ed Werder
Favre is obviously comfortable with the division, and in fairness to him, has played against the Vikings, Bears, and Lions enough to know that he can beat them. The chance to stick it to Green Bay's front office is also a factor.
On the other hand, this latest development seems to indicate that Favre perhaps misses the day to day involvement with football, rather than simply playing. He has always thrived on the banter and cameraderie of the locker room, and it has lifted him out of some major personal issues in the past. Perhaps that lack of a safety blanket has left him fearing that he could slide into obscurity. In any case, it seems that Favre was not entirely honest when he said he was '100% committed to playing' this year.
Favre has to be careful here. On the one hand, it would be a tremendous compromise for both sides, allowing the acrimony of recent weeks to be buried. On the other hand, he must be clear that he is not accepting the $20m for financial reasons, but because he wishes to be involved with the team in an active way.
News has broken that in a text message to ESPN's Ed Werder, Brett Favre is seriously considering the team's offer of a $20m package that would see him not play in the NFL again. The package is now also said to hold a lifetime role for Favre within the organisation.
The news is unexpected, to say the least. Favre seems set on playing, and has even indicated to Werder that he wants to play - if not with the Packers - for another NFC North team. In his own words:
I still want to play in this division for obvious reasons, which I made clear to management. If they won't let me play in Green Bay, let me play against you.
- Brett Favre via Text to ESPN's Ed Werder
Favre is obviously comfortable with the division, and in fairness to him, has played against the Vikings, Bears, and Lions enough to know that he can beat them. The chance to stick it to Green Bay's front office is also a factor.
On the other hand, this latest development seems to indicate that Favre perhaps misses the day to day involvement with football, rather than simply playing. He has always thrived on the banter and cameraderie of the locker room, and it has lifted him out of some major personal issues in the past. Perhaps that lack of a safety blanket has left him fearing that he could slide into obscurity. In any case, it seems that Favre was not entirely honest when he said he was '100% committed to playing' this year.
Favre has to be careful here. On the one hand, it would be a tremendous compromise for both sides, allowing the acrimony of recent weeks to be buried. On the other hand, he must be clear that he is not accepting the $20m for financial reasons, but because he wishes to be involved with the team in an active way.
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