Before I get into some silly sports drama, I'd like to take a moment to salute one of sports' most dramatic, most magical moments and the player most responsible for it, Bobby Thomson. His "shot heard round the world" is so famous that baseball fans may never stop talking about it. R.I.P., Bobby.
And, now, the silliness ...
I have no idea what to make of the Minnesota Vikings sending three of their best players to Hattiesburg yesterday to talk to star QB Brett Favre. Normally, I would think that's pretty extraordinary but normally is not a good word to use when talking about this guy. Some, including me, have been saying he's a diva and a money grubber. I only called him a diva but that was a couple of years ago. A case could be made for both. His antics over the last few weeks have brought him a lot of attention and a nice bump in pay. I don't think he's all that cold and calculating, though. For one thing, that doesn't always work. The Vikes showed him the money and the love but the Packers and the Jets showed him the door. Looks like it will all work out for him but I can't imagine that he planned any of it. My sense is that he simply lives life the way he plays football ... by the seat of his pants.
About the retirement story fiasco a few weeks ago: It was a feeding frenzy but I don't believe it was media-driven any more. I think Brett put the chum in the water. I think he DID text his teammates and that one of them found his way to a reporter. Before the dust had settled, he either changed his mind or was talked out of retirement.
I thought it pretty cool that he was photographed yesterday wearing a Nike shirt with their "Just Do It" across his chest. :)
Lots of relief in Minnesota this morning. No change in New Orleans.
22 days until football season ...
5 song iTune shuffle from the CrabAppleLane Five Star playlist starting with "T":
- The Trawlerman's Song - Mark Knopfler - Shangri-La
- Til I Hear It From You - Gin Blossoms - Empire Records
- Temptation Eyes - The Grass Roots - 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: Best Of The Grass Roots
- Tea For The Tillerman - Cat Stevens - Tea For The Tillerman
- Teacher - Jethro Tull - The Anniversary Collection [Disc 1]
Quote of the Day
Jared Allen, Steve Hutchinson and Ryan Longwell -- in what appeared to be a last-ditch effort -- flew to Hattiesburg, Miss., on Monday with one very strict order: Come back with your quarterback.
Judd Zulgad, Minneapolis Star Tribune
Blog of the day is here.
Quote from said blog: "There's a long drive... it's gonna be, I believe...THE GIANTS WIN THE PENNANT!! THE GIANTS WIN THE PENNANT! THE GIANTS WIN THE PENNANT! THE GIANTS WIN THE PENNANT! Bobby Thomson hits into the lower deck of the left-field stands! The Giants win the pennant and they're goin' crazy, they're goin' crazy!"
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I'm curious about what changed your mind about the thing two weeks ago. I haven't seen anyone name names yet.
I think to some extent it is the "seat of the pants" as you put it, but one of the remarkable differences between Favre's time with the Jets and last year with the Vikes was the discipline he showed last season. Only 7 picks and I know I can lay two of those on poor play by Bernard Berrian. He still has the gunslinger in him, but last year was probably the smartest season he's ever played.
No one has named names but I expect it will come out someday. The original source (Certainly a teammate or assistant coach) is being protected but the vehemence with which these journalists are sticking with it combined with Favre's shaky history on the whole retirement/unretirement issue is enough for me.
He had a great season last year and I expect him to have another one if he can stay healthy. He's got a whale of a team around him.
Should be a great game.