He was the bigger man. The man was so secure in his job he wanted to bring in talent at his position. He wanted to help another human being. So did Donovan McNabb effectively cost himself the most talented overall team to eventually become a demoted 3rd string back for a division rival? Yes, yes, and unfortunately yes.
When Michael Vick was released from his 18-month prison sentence there were a couple of teams that were kicking the tires about the idea of adding him to their roster. There was only one team that was ready to buy. The Philadelphia Eagles. Donovan McNabb looked at a friend, put himself in Vick's shoes, and said yeah go ahead and sign him. McNabb the starter, with quarterback of the future Kevin Kolb as a backup, and Vick as a 3rd stringer? That's one of the best quarterback trios in league history.
Now not even two full years later how the world has been turned upside down for McNabb. He's essentially been called dumb, fat, and lazy by his current employer.Mike Shanahan during the course of the season said McNabb could not pick up the terminology of the system (dumb), said he lacked the cardiovascular endurance to run the two-minute offense (fat), and has not been in the best of shape since training camp (lazy). He's been dropped to third-string after signing a contract 78 million dollar contract extension. (Remember in the NFL the money's not guaranteed, so he'll never see 15% of that money.) Meanwhile Vick has shaken off the rust from lockup to not only take Kolb's job, but is in a neck and neck race with Tom Brady for league MVP.
Now I know McNabb is a class guy, but if he knew that it would turn out for him the way that it has for the past 12 months do you think he still endorses bring Vick to Philly? Does it bother him that he's dealing with one of the most dysfunctional organizations in the NFL(chew on that Redskins fan), while Vick is shining in Philly playing with the weapons that should have been his? McNabb will never admit that he regrets co-signing on the Vick deal, but in the back of his mind is McNabb secretly thinking to himself that he wish he would have said.....Hellz no we ain't bringing him here! Hindsight is 20/20 after all.
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11/8/10
Can You Fire Your Favorite Team's Owner?
It's really a fair question isn't it? I was talking to a Cowboys fan and he just asked out of frustration, "Can we fire our owner?" How 'bout 'dem Cowboys?!?!
Owner Jerry Jones fired head coach Wade Phillips less than a week after he said Wade was safe for the season. It's not that Wade didn't deserve to be fired, it's the fact that Jerry has gone on record making ridiculous claims like that which frustrates the fanbase. Fact, Jerry Jones has not won a Super Bowl without talent stocked by Jimmy Johnson. If you're not over 20 years old, there's a strong chance you don't remember the Cowboys last Super Bowl title. 1996 was a long time ago Jerry. But the question "Can we fire our owner" goes beyond Big D.
Redskins owner Daniel Snyder has been throwing money at the 'Skins problem since he bought the team. He's overpaid for names for years and yielded little results. Like Jones, Snyder is a really rich guy that found success in something other than football. Success that made him incredibly wealthy. From what I've found wealthy people usually believe they are the smartest people in the room. I mean they are extremely rich and everyone wants to be rich, so their proverbial mindset, "I must be smart."
The problem with that flawed thinking is just because you have a skill that makes you extremely good at one thing, does not mean your ideas translate into other realms similarly. Do you think an astrophysicists could outcoach Bill Belichick? Not likely. That doesn't mean the astrophysicist isn't brilliant, but football X's and O's is not his speciality. Yet these owners think because they've built an empire in business they should meddle in football affairs. Snyder and Jones have to have the last word on decisions. For better or worse, and it's proven to mostly be for the worst.
The Redskins and Cowboys have two of the best fan bases in sports. They own one of the marquee rivalries in football. The Redskins are at .500 and have a nice in-house cock fight going on with the latest coaching savior Dan Shannahan, and the latest big name free-agent acquisition Donovan McNabb. Different year same turmoil for the 'Skins under Snyder.
The Redskins are sitting at 500, and after eight games the Cowboys have won a single game. That's what these proud franchises have fallen to. Wait 'til next year, nah. How about wait 'til the owner sales.
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Owner Jerry Jones fired head coach Wade Phillips less than a week after he said Wade was safe for the season. It's not that Wade didn't deserve to be fired, it's the fact that Jerry has gone on record making ridiculous claims like that which frustrates the fanbase. Fact, Jerry Jones has not won a Super Bowl without talent stocked by Jimmy Johnson. If you're not over 20 years old, there's a strong chance you don't remember the Cowboys last Super Bowl title. 1996 was a long time ago Jerry. But the question "Can we fire our owner" goes beyond Big D.
Redskins owner Daniel Snyder has been throwing money at the 'Skins problem since he bought the team. He's overpaid for names for years and yielded little results. Like Jones, Snyder is a really rich guy that found success in something other than football. Success that made him incredibly wealthy. From what I've found wealthy people usually believe they are the smartest people in the room. I mean they are extremely rich and everyone wants to be rich, so their proverbial mindset, "I must be smart."
The problem with that flawed thinking is just because you have a skill that makes you extremely good at one thing, does not mean your ideas translate into other realms similarly. Do you think an astrophysicists could outcoach Bill Belichick? Not likely. That doesn't mean the astrophysicist isn't brilliant, but football X's and O's is not his speciality. Yet these owners think because they've built an empire in business they should meddle in football affairs. Snyder and Jones have to have the last word on decisions. For better or worse, and it's proven to mostly be for the worst.
The Redskins and Cowboys have two of the best fan bases in sports. They own one of the marquee rivalries in football. The Redskins are at .500 and have a nice in-house cock fight going on with the latest coaching savior Dan Shannahan, and the latest big name free-agent acquisition Donovan McNabb. Different year same turmoil for the 'Skins under Snyder.
The Redskins are sitting at 500, and after eight games the Cowboys have won a single game. That's what these proud franchises have fallen to. Wait 'til next year, nah. How about wait 'til the owner sales.
Follow me at http://twitter.com/Sports_Grill Or drop an email to sportsgrillmaster@yahoo.com
11/6/10
Ego Supersedes Talent in NFL
I was wrong. I was dead wrong. I stopped at a green light. I believed putting "the old gunslinger" and "straight cash homie" was perfect, except I didn't expect it be ruined by an ego that didn't belong to either of them. Brett Favre, Randy Moss, and Brad Childress were red kool-aid and a two-year old, just a disaster when mixed together.
You may buy Moss got waived by the Vikings because he talked bad about a caterer. You may also buy that Moss got waived because he wasn't impacting the game anymore. You may even buy Moss got waived because he said he wasn't doing anymore interviews this season. I can tell you you're making the wrong purchase. Randy Moss is a Tennessee Titan strictly because Brad Childress could not deal with the Devil that makes Moss an NFL deity.
Childress is a mark. You can tell by the beard, the George Jefferson balding hairstyle (just shave it man), and by the way he's let his team be held at gunpoint for the past two seasons by Favre. The Vikings got off to a slow start, saw Moss was available, and made the move to bring the most dangerous wideout ever this side of Jerry Rice for a third round pick. Why didn't it work? Chilly could not get out of his own way. Brad Childress waived Randy Moss to get everyone's attention when his feelings got hurt. He wanted to let everyone know who's in charge. Problem is Chilly, you cut off your nose to spite your face.
Moss went in front of the press and professed his love for the New England Patriots organization and called out some of the decisions of his current head coach. Childress ego could not take Moss pining for Bill Belichick and felt he was being made out to be a fool in front of everyone. Moss had to go, right then and there. Now explain to me how does that make your team better on the field Chilly? Belichick got rid of Moss because he had a plan, you got rid of Moss because of stubborn pride. Childress you are the head coach Shaq was talking about. "The Master of Panic."
Brett Favre has been a one-man soap opera for the past two seasons. You would think when you've been groveling on your knees as long as Childress, bringing in Moss would not be a problem. Instead when Childress felt threatened he handled it like a child. I mean a little brat. Not only did he waive Moss without talking to his boss, he announced it to the team in a matter of fact tone that made it seem he was elevating a guy from the practice squad.
This is Randy Moss. A guy who still commands double teams. A guy that creates space for all the other offensive weapons to operate by simply being on the field. And you let his mouth, not his game cost you your locker room, a third round pick, his talent, and eventually your job. So was it the best move? It was for Chilly's ego.
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You may buy Moss got waived by the Vikings because he talked bad about a caterer. You may also buy that Moss got waived because he wasn't impacting the game anymore. You may even buy Moss got waived because he said he wasn't doing anymore interviews this season. I can tell you you're making the wrong purchase. Randy Moss is a Tennessee Titan strictly because Brad Childress could not deal with the Devil that makes Moss an NFL deity.
Childress is a mark. You can tell by the beard, the George Jefferson balding hairstyle (just shave it man), and by the way he's let his team be held at gunpoint for the past two seasons by Favre. The Vikings got off to a slow start, saw Moss was available, and made the move to bring the most dangerous wideout ever this side of Jerry Rice for a third round pick. Why didn't it work? Chilly could not get out of his own way. Brad Childress waived Randy Moss to get everyone's attention when his feelings got hurt. He wanted to let everyone know who's in charge. Problem is Chilly, you cut off your nose to spite your face.
Moss went in front of the press and professed his love for the New England Patriots organization and called out some of the decisions of his current head coach. Childress ego could not take Moss pining for Bill Belichick and felt he was being made out to be a fool in front of everyone. Moss had to go, right then and there. Now explain to me how does that make your team better on the field Chilly? Belichick got rid of Moss because he had a plan, you got rid of Moss because of stubborn pride. Childress you are the head coach Shaq was talking about. "The Master of Panic."
Brett Favre has been a one-man soap opera for the past two seasons. You would think when you've been groveling on your knees as long as Childress, bringing in Moss would not be a problem. Instead when Childress felt threatened he handled it like a child. I mean a little brat. Not only did he waive Moss without talking to his boss, he announced it to the team in a matter of fact tone that made it seem he was elevating a guy from the practice squad.
This is Randy Moss. A guy who still commands double teams. A guy that creates space for all the other offensive weapons to operate by simply being on the field. And you let his mouth, not his game cost you your locker room, a third round pick, his talent, and eventually your job. So was it the best move? It was for Chilly's ego.
Follow me at http://twitter.com/Sports_Grill Or drop an email to sportsgrillmaster@yahoo.com
11/2/10
Jerry Jones Has A Fantasy Fetish
Millions of people play fantasy football because they wish they could run a real football team. Everyone aspires to do what Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones does, play fantasy football with a real football team. You know how it goes with fantasy, gather the best talent at the "skill positions". Jerry Jones has perfected this craft. His team is deep at running back, wide receiver, and tight end. Problem is Jerry, the NFL is not a place to run a fantasy team.
The Cowboys were doomed this year from the start because they could play a mean game of football.....on paper. Jones added another "weapon" with Dez Bryant in the draft instead of looking for a quality offensive lineman to shore up his team's biggest weakness. Jerry wanted the flash. Jerry wanted the sizzle. Jerry wanted everyone to talk about his team, playing in his stadium, for the Super Bowl. Jerry got the attention, people bought in.
One problem. The reason fantasy football works is because all these great players that everyone puts on their fantasy squads are on different teams. Jerry, there's only one ball. You're not going to get 28 fantasy points or rather 4 touchdowns from Bryant and have a great game from Miles Austin and Felix Jones and Roy Williams and Marion Barber and etc. You do have an offensive juggernaut, except on the offensive line where you've essentially hired a bunch of fat guys off bar stools. Neglecting the line, not something Jimmy Johnson would have done. (Forgot we're not supposed to mention Jimmy's name anymore.)
I know if Jerry were to read this he'd say something to the effect of, "You have to account for injuries, that's why we have quality up and down the depth chart at the skill positions." I'd tell Jerry he's right. Only if you have to account for injuries, why is Tony Romo's backup someone who should be getting a paycheck every two weeks from the unemployment office? Why have an offense built around a quarterback who's strengths are getting out of the pocket and making something happen when things break down and have a backup who does none of those things? Jerry? You there?
So now the Cowboys are at the bottom of the NFC East. One of the worst teams in the league, but there's a bright side Jerry. I hear Randy Moss is available.
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The Cowboys were doomed this year from the start because they could play a mean game of football.....on paper. Jones added another "weapon" with Dez Bryant in the draft instead of looking for a quality offensive lineman to shore up his team's biggest weakness. Jerry wanted the flash. Jerry wanted the sizzle. Jerry wanted everyone to talk about his team, playing in his stadium, for the Super Bowl. Jerry got the attention, people bought in.
One problem. The reason fantasy football works is because all these great players that everyone puts on their fantasy squads are on different teams. Jerry, there's only one ball. You're not going to get 28 fantasy points or rather 4 touchdowns from Bryant and have a great game from Miles Austin and Felix Jones and Roy Williams and Marion Barber and etc. You do have an offensive juggernaut, except on the offensive line where you've essentially hired a bunch of fat guys off bar stools. Neglecting the line, not something Jimmy Johnson would have done. (Forgot we're not supposed to mention Jimmy's name anymore.)
I know if Jerry were to read this he'd say something to the effect of, "You have to account for injuries, that's why we have quality up and down the depth chart at the skill positions." I'd tell Jerry he's right. Only if you have to account for injuries, why is Tony Romo's backup someone who should be getting a paycheck every two weeks from the unemployment office? Why have an offense built around a quarterback who's strengths are getting out of the pocket and making something happen when things break down and have a backup who does none of those things? Jerry? You there?
So now the Cowboys are at the bottom of the NFC East. One of the worst teams in the league, but there's a bright side Jerry. I hear Randy Moss is available.
Follow me at http://twitter.com/Sports_Grill Or drop an email to sportsgrillmaster@yahoo.com
10/19/10
New Rules will Concuss The NFL
You've read the rhetoric by now. "Kudos to the NFL for trying to cut down on all the head shots." Well if you think you've clicked on that type story, sorry. I'm sick of the rhetoric. I'm sick of all the public relation moves that the league has made under commissioner Roger Goodell. This may be the most egregious one.
This cat Goodell first came in as commissioner and laid down the law on players about their off the field antics. The new sheriff in town thought he needed to protect the players from themselves and be the morality police. We've sat and watched Goodell serve uneven punishment for players over the last several years. Goodell dished out fines and suspensions for any action he felt was not good for the league. I'm not getting into Mike Vick or Pac-Man's punishments vs. how Brett Favre is still playing despite his crude behavior, because if Goodell wanted to make his name on what goes on off of the field that was fine. Now he and his henchmen are effecting the game that you and I love on the field.
The NFL announced that it's going to be more harsh in enforcing it's rules about helmet-to-helmet hits. This is football people. Repeat this is football people! Goodell is once again trying to protect the players from themselves, but this is going to end badly.
No one makes anyone play professional football. These guys know the risks before they strap on the pads every week. The vocal minority wants more protection for the players, but if you survey an NFL locker room you will find that these guys know violent hits are apart of the game. Defensive guys pride themselves on the big hit and offensive guys pride themselves on being able to avoid it or in certain situations being able to absorb it.
Have you ever watched football? Going over the middle and complaining about the inflicted carnage is like running into oncoming traffic and complaining about how a car is supposed to hit you. Defensive players are taught how to hit and tackle and you know what, sometimes in the midst of trying to tackle someone you're going to get helmet-to-helmet contact. You know why? Because the offensive player is trying not to get hit! Think of it like this, would Ray Lewis rather take a fine/suspension and deliver a kill-shot or would he rather the offensive players think that they can come over the middle without the threat of getting punished? This is what these guys sign up for. You're trying to turn pro football into two-hand touch.
The other problem that no one seems to be addressing is what happens when a key player gets suspended for what amounts to doing his job? Do you think it will be fair if James Harrison has to miss games because he was out there being intimidating. Being a physical and intimidating force is what has made Harrison a rich man. It's what a great defender does. When the playoffs start and a team is without it's star defender because of a b.s. rule to make football "safer" will that be fair? And what about a guy who makes a big time hit and is not flagged but it's clearly helmet-to-helmet? What will the NFL do? This new emphasis on helmet-to helmet hits is going to open up the door for more subjective discipline. Is Goodell going to sit as the executioner on this board as well? He seems to get satisfaction in doling out punishment.
Another guy who's got the grill burning hot is Rodney Harrison. This was one of the dirtiest s.o.b's to play the game. He made his living playing right up to the edge of the rules and now he wants to run his mouth on Sunday Night Football how to fix the game after his skills have diminished and made him a talking head. He would have despised the emphasizing of this rule and now he's the one who's got a large hand in making the game soft? Well good job Rodney. I'm glad to see being away from the game hasn't made you any more likable.
The old guard is mostly against making the game Charmin soft because it's not the game they played. Fans who pay their money every week are against this because the big hit is equivalent to everyone digging the long ball in baseball. Players are against it because they have to reprogram everything they've ever been taught about how to play the game. Most of the people pushing for these changes are people who never played the game and can't possibly appreciate the controlled violence that happens every week. So commish put your helmet-to-helmet around this. You're going to be remembered as the guy who was holding the ball when football ceased to be America's favorite sport, but hey at least it was safer.
Follow me at http://twitter.com/Sports_Grill Or drop an email to sportsgrillmaster@yahoo.com
This cat Goodell first came in as commissioner and laid down the law on players about their off the field antics. The new sheriff in town thought he needed to protect the players from themselves and be the morality police. We've sat and watched Goodell serve uneven punishment for players over the last several years. Goodell dished out fines and suspensions for any action he felt was not good for the league. I'm not getting into Mike Vick or Pac-Man's punishments vs. how Brett Favre is still playing despite his crude behavior, because if Goodell wanted to make his name on what goes on off of the field that was fine. Now he and his henchmen are effecting the game that you and I love on the field.
The NFL announced that it's going to be more harsh in enforcing it's rules about helmet-to-helmet hits. This is football people. Repeat this is football people! Goodell is once again trying to protect the players from themselves, but this is going to end badly.
No one makes anyone play professional football. These guys know the risks before they strap on the pads every week. The vocal minority wants more protection for the players, but if you survey an NFL locker room you will find that these guys know violent hits are apart of the game. Defensive guys pride themselves on the big hit and offensive guys pride themselves on being able to avoid it or in certain situations being able to absorb it.
Have you ever watched football? Going over the middle and complaining about the inflicted carnage is like running into oncoming traffic and complaining about how a car is supposed to hit you. Defensive players are taught how to hit and tackle and you know what, sometimes in the midst of trying to tackle someone you're going to get helmet-to-helmet contact. You know why? Because the offensive player is trying not to get hit! Think of it like this, would Ray Lewis rather take a fine/suspension and deliver a kill-shot or would he rather the offensive players think that they can come over the middle without the threat of getting punished? This is what these guys sign up for. You're trying to turn pro football into two-hand touch.
The other problem that no one seems to be addressing is what happens when a key player gets suspended for what amounts to doing his job? Do you think it will be fair if James Harrison has to miss games because he was out there being intimidating. Being a physical and intimidating force is what has made Harrison a rich man. It's what a great defender does. When the playoffs start and a team is without it's star defender because of a b.s. rule to make football "safer" will that be fair? And what about a guy who makes a big time hit and is not flagged but it's clearly helmet-to-helmet? What will the NFL do? This new emphasis on helmet-to helmet hits is going to open up the door for more subjective discipline. Is Goodell going to sit as the executioner on this board as well? He seems to get satisfaction in doling out punishment.
Another guy who's got the grill burning hot is Rodney Harrison. This was one of the dirtiest s.o.b's to play the game. He made his living playing right up to the edge of the rules and now he wants to run his mouth on Sunday Night Football how to fix the game after his skills have diminished and made him a talking head. He would have despised the emphasizing of this rule and now he's the one who's got a large hand in making the game soft? Well good job Rodney. I'm glad to see being away from the game hasn't made you any more likable.
The old guard is mostly against making the game Charmin soft because it's not the game they played. Fans who pay their money every week are against this because the big hit is equivalent to everyone digging the long ball in baseball. Players are against it because they have to reprogram everything they've ever been taught about how to play the game. Most of the people pushing for these changes are people who never played the game and can't possibly appreciate the controlled violence that happens every week. So commish put your helmet-to-helmet around this. You're going to be remembered as the guy who was holding the ball when football ceased to be America's favorite sport, but hey at least it was safer.
Follow me at http://twitter.com/Sports_Grill Or drop an email to sportsgrillmaster@yahoo.com
10/13/10
Should T.O. and Chad be wearing black?
On Chapelle’s Show they had the true Hollywood Stories with Charlie Murphy. In the all-time funniest story Rick James referred to the Murphy brothers as “Twin Brother Darknesses” Well ladies and gents we have a new twin brother darknesses! Chad and T.O. Now there is nothing wrong with a chocolate man, but why did the Bengals have to put them in that black uniform? And do they have to put on the black stuff under their eyes. My husband told me what it is called and I forgot. They need to paint white lines under their eyes. And I heard that their first game was a night game! I think that’s an unfair advantage for the Bengals. How is their opponent supposed to find those two and tackle them? Bring back the orange jerseys! Give the other NFL teams a fighting chance! Stop playing games at night! Spray all of the grass white! Make people in the stands where white! This is outrageous.
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10/6/10
Moss and Favre....Together For A Minnesota Moment
It's funny that two of the most important Minnesota Vikings had little or no training camp with the team. Brett Favre talked into coming back at age 40 halfway through camp and Randy Moss traded for after week 4 of the NFL season. You have to be in shape to play in the league, but why is Minnesota banking all of it's season around a pair of Hall of Famers in the twilight of their careers? Because they're Hall of Famers! Would you rather have Tavaris Jackson and Bernard Berrian and the full compliment of camp or Favre and Moss together for the final 13 weeks of the season? I mean is that even a question?
Favre has admired Moss's talents for years. Everyone remembers how he openly campaigned for Green Bay to bring Moss in when his talents were wasting away with the Raiders. Instead the Patriots picked Moss up for the price of a 4th round pick and watched Tom Brady have his most explosive season as the team started the season 18-0 before losing in the Super Bowl to the Giants. Favre may rub some the wrong way, and so does Moss for that matter, but Favre knows just how dangerous a combination Moss can be with a quarterback who just puts it up for him. Favre sat on the sidelines for years in GB watching Moss catch bomb after bomb from Dante Culpepper twice a year when the two were the elite tandem in Minnesota. He longed for somebody so special that not even his cannon could overthrow. Now, years later, Moss and Favre get a chance to show what a couple of guys with Hall passes can do with more yesterdays than tomorrows together.
Does anyone really expect this not to work? Moss may have been a petulant ass during his first go around in Minnesota, but does anyone expect a motivated Moss and Favre to not be successful? To add Moss to a squad that has Favre, running back Adrian Peterson and fellow wideouts Percy Harvin and Sidney Rice (once he gets back from a hip injury in about a month) seems unfair. The price for Minnesota was a 3rd-round pick. How many times do teams miss on third round picks? There are some great guys selected in the 3rd round true, but how many surely pan out? The Vikings had to make this deal. After getting off to an 0-2 start and watching their 16-million dollar investment on Favre start to spiral down the drain, they HAD to make the move. The Vikings were talking to San Diego about Vincent Jackson, but ended up getting a much better receiver for a less expensive price tag. You know the adage, sometimes the best move is the move you don't make.
For Moss this trade is a slap in the face. He proved when the Patriots brought him in that he can indeed perform in an environment that's conducive to winning. Was he problematic in combustible (losing) situations? Absolutely. That being said, I don't remember any negative reports about Moss when the Patriots were putting together their near perfect run to the Super Bowl. This offseason when Moss watched Tom Brady get a contract extension, he wondered aloud "what about me?" You can't blame him. Moss is in the final year of his deal. He watched the Patriots trade defensive lineman Richard Seymour (ironically to the Raiders) in the final year of his contract rather than pay him. Moss wants another big pay day, so expect to see Moss look over to Favre at some point realize he's single covered, take a step off the line and throw his hand up to show he's open and make catches like this.
In a season where there is not a dominant team to be found, the Vikings just became must see television.
For the next few weeks at least we will watch to see how Favre and Moss is working. We'll watch to see if the Vikings can indeed rebound to put themselves in contention for a playoff spot after starting 0-2. We want to know if a guy who turns 41 in a matter of days can turn back the clock and can be a money combo with the guy who's "straight cash homie" .
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Favre has admired Moss's talents for years. Everyone remembers how he openly campaigned for Green Bay to bring Moss in when his talents were wasting away with the Raiders. Instead the Patriots picked Moss up for the price of a 4th round pick and watched Tom Brady have his most explosive season as the team started the season 18-0 before losing in the Super Bowl to the Giants. Favre may rub some the wrong way, and so does Moss for that matter, but Favre knows just how dangerous a combination Moss can be with a quarterback who just puts it up for him. Favre sat on the sidelines for years in GB watching Moss catch bomb after bomb from Dante Culpepper twice a year when the two were the elite tandem in Minnesota. He longed for somebody so special that not even his cannon could overthrow. Now, years later, Moss and Favre get a chance to show what a couple of guys with Hall passes can do with more yesterdays than tomorrows together.
Does anyone really expect this not to work? Moss may have been a petulant ass during his first go around in Minnesota, but does anyone expect a motivated Moss and Favre to not be successful? To add Moss to a squad that has Favre, running back Adrian Peterson and fellow wideouts Percy Harvin and Sidney Rice (once he gets back from a hip injury in about a month) seems unfair. The price for Minnesota was a 3rd-round pick. How many times do teams miss on third round picks? There are some great guys selected in the 3rd round true, but how many surely pan out? The Vikings had to make this deal. After getting off to an 0-2 start and watching their 16-million dollar investment on Favre start to spiral down the drain, they HAD to make the move. The Vikings were talking to San Diego about Vincent Jackson, but ended up getting a much better receiver for a less expensive price tag. You know the adage, sometimes the best move is the move you don't make.
For Moss this trade is a slap in the face. He proved when the Patriots brought him in that he can indeed perform in an environment that's conducive to winning. Was he problematic in combustible (losing) situations? Absolutely. That being said, I don't remember any negative reports about Moss when the Patriots were putting together their near perfect run to the Super Bowl. This offseason when Moss watched Tom Brady get a contract extension, he wondered aloud "what about me?" You can't blame him. Moss is in the final year of his deal. He watched the Patriots trade defensive lineman Richard Seymour (ironically to the Raiders) in the final year of his contract rather than pay him. Moss wants another big pay day, so expect to see Moss look over to Favre at some point realize he's single covered, take a step off the line and throw his hand up to show he's open and make catches like this.
In a season where there is not a dominant team to be found, the Vikings just became must see television.
For the next few weeks at least we will watch to see how Favre and Moss is working. We'll watch to see if the Vikings can indeed rebound to put themselves in contention for a playoff spot after starting 0-2. We want to know if a guy who turns 41 in a matter of days can turn back the clock and can be a money combo with the guy who's "straight cash homie" .
Follow me at http://twitter.com/Sports_Grill Or drop an email to sportsgrillmaster@yahoo.com
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