NFL notes: Very sad to hear the news about Jim Johnson this morning. Not as sad to hear the news about Brett Favre although that saga may not be over yet. He is continuing to work out so he could easily change his mind again maybe in a couple of weeks when training camp is over. I think NFL commissioner Roger Goodell's decision (Don't call it punishment) on Michael Vick is surprisingly light. There are some that think only PETA or the ASPCA will object to or protest his reinstatement. They're wrong (See BOTD). What he was part of is thoroughly repugnant to almost all Americans. The team that signs him will lose fans, ticket sales, marketing revenue, and season ticket holders for next year and beyond. They'll be protested wherever they go. Thankfully, the Saints have said they're not interested.
43 days until football season ...
Quote of the Day
Quarterbacks are like queen bees -- you can only have one of them before they start stepping on each other.
Mike Brown, Cincinnati Bengals Owner
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "The NFL presented the final straw today as it reinstated Michael Vick. Throughout the Michael Vick controversy, the league did absolutely nothing to prevent similar actions by its players. A temporary suspension while he served time in prison was the NFL's only actions against Michael Vick despite the fact that Vick laid waste to the Atlanta Falcons budget, many NFL sponsors, and the respect of fans around the country. But today, the NFL commissioner acted in a way that can not be tolerated by NFL fans when he chose to reinstate Michael Vick."
I think the Favre saga is over for now, at least as far as the Vikings are concerned. My guess is that if he is coaxed out of retirement it will be mid-season and by a team that is contending but just lost their first-string QB to injury. That sounds like the scenario that he is angling for. Physically he can't handle a full season let alone training camps, let alone mini-camps. He might think he can pull off a half a season though.
I've been a Vikings fan for 41 years. If they pick up Vick this year I will boycott them. I believe in redemption and that people deserve a second chance, but I have not seen the requisite remorse from Vick that goes hand in hand with that.
I think that's a longshot, Dave. I don't think he could be in football shape at a moment's notice. He'd have to come in and backup the backup for a time. Doubt he'd be willing to do that.
Well, there's stuff like this:
"The NFL Network's Steve Mariucci, who was an assistant on the Packers coaching staff in the 1990s and remains close to Favre, reported Favre will continue throwing and working out."
http://www.startribune.com/local/51926357.html?page=3&c=y
Some team(s) will lose their starter sometime in the first 4 to 6 weeks. I will not be surprised if Favre then starts waving his hand around.