Link to Article
Castro defends athlete who kicked judge in face
HAVANA (AP) - Fidel Castro on Monday defended the Cuban taekwondo athlete who kicked a referee in the face at the Beijing Olympics, saying Angel Matos was rightfully indignant over his disqualification from the bronze-medal match.
Taekwondo officials want Matos and his coach banned for life from the sport. But Castro expressed "our total solidarity" for both Matos and his coach Leudis Gonzalez.
Matos was winning 3-2 in the second round when he fell to the mat after being hit by his opponent, Kazakhstan's Arman Chilmanov, and was disqualified for taking more than his one minute of injury time.
Matos angrily questioned the call, pushed a judge and then pushed and kicked referee Chakir Chelbat of Sweden, who needed stiches to repair his lip. Matos then spat on the floor and was escorted out.
Taekwondo officials called Matos' behavior an insult to the Olympic vision. Matos' coach countered that the match was fixed and accused the Kazakhs of offering him money.
Castro said the alleged bribery attempt gave Matos good reason to expect the judges to treat him unfairly.
"They had tried to buy his own coach," Castro wrote in his essay published in state media. "He could not contain himself."
Cuba is accustomed to winning golds in boxing, but settled this year for four silver and four bronze medals. Overall, Cuba took home only two golds, down from nine in Athens four years ago.
"I saw when the judges blatantly stole fights from two Cuban boxers in the semifinals," Castro wrote. "Our fighters ... had hopes of winning, despite the judges, but it was useless. They were condemned beforehand."
The ailing, 82-year-old ex-president also noted that defections have taken their toll, blaming "the repugnant mercenary actions" of promoters who lure Cuban boxers off the island with lucrative contracts.
And Castro hinted that big changes could be in order for Cuban sports, pledging a serious review of "every discipline, every human and material resource that we dedicate to sport."
"Cuba has never bought an athlete or judge," Castro wrote, adding that Cubans need to begin preparing now for London in 2012. "There will be European chauvinism, judge corruption, buying of brawn and brains ... and a strong dose of racism," he predicted.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Usain Bolt Breaks Record, Earns Parody of Sprint
Jeremy Schaap of ESPN discusses Bolt's run.
Bolt's actual run. (Pardon the foreign language.)
Thursday, August 14, 2008
IOC will do nothing about China's fake passports
It is sad that at some point these great Chinese olympians will get their gold medals taken away. And for what? The communist Chinese government is greedy and will do anything to win. These girls' legacy will be tarnished in the future. It will take time for this to all come full circle but at some point, most likely after the games are over and the IOC is back in Europe, China will lose many of its medals. The IOC won't do it now because they are afraid of what the government may do.
State-media story fuels questions on gymnast’s age
By JOHN LEICESTER, Associated Press Writer
8 hours, 16 minutes ago
BEIJING (AP)—Just nine months before the Beijing Olympics, the Chinese government’s news agency, Xinhua, reported that gymnast He Kexin was 13, which would have made her ineligible to be on the team that won a gold medal this week.
In its report Nov. 3, Xinhua identified He as one of “10 big new stars” who made a splash at China’s Cities Games. It gave her age as 13 and reported that she beat Yang Yilin on the uneven bars at those games. In the final, “this little girl” pulled off a difficult release move on the bars known as the Li Na, named for another Chinese gymnast, Xinhua said in the report, which appeared on one of its Web sites, www.hb.xinhuanet.com
The Associated Press found the Xinhua report on the site Thursday morning and saved a copy of the page. Later that afternoon, the Web site was still working but the page was no longer accessible. Sports editors at the state-run news agency would not comment for publication.
If the age reported by Xinhua was correct, that would have meant He was too young to be on the Chinese team that beat the United States on Wednesday and clinched China’s first women’s team Olympic gold in gymnastics. He is also a favorite for gold in Monday’s uneven bars final.
Yang was also on Wednesday’s winning team. Questions have also been raised about her age and that of a third team member, Jiang Yuyuan.
Gymnasts have to be 16 during the Olympic year to be eligible for the games. He’s birthday is listed as Jan. 1, 1992.
Chinese authorities insist that all three are old enough to compete. He herself told reporters after Wednesday’s final that “my real age is 16. I don’t pay any attention to what everyone says.”
Zhang Hongliang, an official with China’s gymnastics delegation at the games, said Thursday the differing ages which have appeared in Chinese media reports had not been checked in advance with the gymnastics federation.
“It’s definitely a mistake,” Zhang said of the Xinhua report, speaking in a telephone interview. “Never has any media outlet called me to check the athletes’ ages.”
Asked whether the federation had changed their ages to make them eligible, Zhang said: “We are a sports department. How would we have the ability to do that?”
“We already explained this very clearly. There’s no need to discuss this thing again.”
The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has said repeatedly that a passport is the “accepted proof of a gymnast’s eligibility,” and that He and China’s other gymnasts have presented ones that show they are age eligible. The IOC also checked the girls’ passports and deemed them valid.
A May 23 story in the China Daily newspaper, the official English-language paper of the Chinese government, said He was 14. The story was later corrected to list her as 16.
“This is not a USAG issue,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. “The FIG and the IOC are the proper bodies to handle this.”
(From Yahoo! Sports)
(Pictures are courtesy of Getty Images via Yahoo! Sports)
State-media story fuels questions on gymnast’s age
By JOHN LEICESTER, Associated Press Writer
8 hours, 16 minutes ago
BEIJING (AP)—Just nine months before the Beijing Olympics, the Chinese government’s news agency, Xinhua, reported that gymnast He Kexin was 13, which would have made her ineligible to be on the team that won a gold medal this week.
In its report Nov. 3, Xinhua identified He as one of “10 big new stars” who made a splash at China’s Cities Games. It gave her age as 13 and reported that she beat Yang Yilin on the uneven bars at those games. In the final, “this little girl” pulled off a difficult release move on the bars known as the Li Na, named for another Chinese gymnast, Xinhua said in the report, which appeared on one of its Web sites, www.hb.xinhuanet.com
The Associated Press found the Xinhua report on the site Thursday morning and saved a copy of the page. Later that afternoon, the Web site was still working but the page was no longer accessible. Sports editors at the state-run news agency would not comment for publication.
If the age reported by Xinhua was correct, that would have meant He was too young to be on the Chinese team that beat the United States on Wednesday and clinched China’s first women’s team Olympic gold in gymnastics. He is also a favorite for gold in Monday’s uneven bars final.
Yang was also on Wednesday’s winning team. Questions have also been raised about her age and that of a third team member, Jiang Yuyuan.
Gymnasts have to be 16 during the Olympic year to be eligible for the games. He’s birthday is listed as Jan. 1, 1992.
Chinese authorities insist that all three are old enough to compete. He herself told reporters after Wednesday’s final that “my real age is 16. I don’t pay any attention to what everyone says.”
Zhang Hongliang, an official with China’s gymnastics delegation at the games, said Thursday the differing ages which have appeared in Chinese media reports had not been checked in advance with the gymnastics federation.
“It’s definitely a mistake,” Zhang said of the Xinhua report, speaking in a telephone interview. “Never has any media outlet called me to check the athletes’ ages.”
Asked whether the federation had changed their ages to make them eligible, Zhang said: “We are a sports department. How would we have the ability to do that?”
“We already explained this very clearly. There’s no need to discuss this thing again.”
The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has said repeatedly that a passport is the “accepted proof of a gymnast’s eligibility,” and that He and China’s other gymnasts have presented ones that show they are age eligible. The IOC also checked the girls’ passports and deemed them valid.
A May 23 story in the China Daily newspaper, the official English-language paper of the Chinese government, said He was 14. The story was later corrected to list her as 16.
“This is not a USAG issue,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. “The FIG and the IOC are the proper bodies to handle this.”
(From Yahoo! Sports)
(Pictures are courtesy of Getty Images via Yahoo! Sports)
Are the Chinese cheating in Beijing? Nahhhhh.
The Chinese are winning in style. It's not cheating. Just because they falsified passports and the International Olympic Committee is afraid of angering the communist government they did nothing wrong. What people don't know can't hurt them, right?
By just looking at the picture of the People's Republic of China's women's gymnastics team, a human being will realize that at least four of the team members don't appear to be 16 years of age.
The United States gymnastics team has also criticized the ages of the Chinese team.
Here are some things that are funny: China won gold in men's and women's team gymnastics and China is doing well in the pool. In both of these sports China has never done well historically. China also won gold in rifle, go figure.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Bela is upset at China's cheating ways
(story from Yahoo! Sports)
Bela Karolyi incensed about underage rules
By BARRY WILNER, AP Sports Writer
BEIJING (AP)—Bela Karolyi seethed as he watched the Chinese women compete Sunday.
Not because of how good they were in qualifications, finishing 1.475 points ahead of the American team that often trains at his Texas ranch. What bothered the most famous man in gymnastics was “China’s arrogance” for using girls he wasn’t even sure were teenagers yet.
“They are using half-people,” Karolyi said. “One of the biggest frustrations is, what arrogance. These people think we are stupid.
“We are in the business of gymnastics and we know what a kid of 14 or 15 or 16 looks like. You don’t have to be a gymnastics coach to know what they look like at 16.”
Karolyi, working the games for NBC, believes the international federation’s rules that gymnasts must turn at least 16 during the Olympic year are flawed. Karolyi’s complaints are nothing new. But when they come moments after the Chinese have competed at the Olympics, well, they come across more loudly than ever.
“What kind of slap in the face is this?” he asked. “They are 12, 14 years old, max. And they line them up for the world … and having the government back them.
“Since they forced an age limit, it has gotten worse and worse. The FIG is running away from the age problem. They set an age limit and now they can’t control it.”
International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) officials have accepted the passports of the Chinese women, which indicate all are old enough to compete. Karolyi is originally from Romania, and he says falsifying documents is a common practice in countries such as Romania, Russia and other former Soviet bloc nations.
The solution, he said, is to not have any age limit. He believes if a gymnast is good enough to earn a spot at the Olympics or world championships, that athlete deserves to go. He said some juniors today are just as proficient as the age-eligble competitors. Nastia Liukin, for example, would certainly have made the squad for the Athens Games four years ago had she not been 14.
Karolyi’s wife, Martha, the national coordinator for the U.S. women’s team, agrees that if there are any questions about age, just eliminate the restrictions being broken.
“If it’s true,” she said of any nation using underage gymnasts, “the only situation is to lift up the age limit. It would be an even playing field for everyone.”
Bela Karolyi praised the Chinese for their skills on the various apparatus, and for their competitiveness. His issue is not with the athletes, of course, but with those who would use them as pawns in the chase for medals.
Very young pawns.
“They do good gymnastics and are a good service for the sport,” he said of the Chinese. “They have the ultimate effective training program. That’s why I am more upset that they are cheating. They don’t need cheating. They would be just as good a lineup of eligible athletes.”
Bela Karolyi incensed about underage rules
By BARRY WILNER, AP Sports Writer
BEIJING (AP)—Bela Karolyi seethed as he watched the Chinese women compete Sunday.
Not because of how good they were in qualifications, finishing 1.475 points ahead of the American team that often trains at his Texas ranch. What bothered the most famous man in gymnastics was “China’s arrogance” for using girls he wasn’t even sure were teenagers yet.
“They are using half-people,” Karolyi said. “One of the biggest frustrations is, what arrogance. These people think we are stupid.
“We are in the business of gymnastics and we know what a kid of 14 or 15 or 16 looks like. You don’t have to be a gymnastics coach to know what they look like at 16.”
Karolyi, working the games for NBC, believes the international federation’s rules that gymnasts must turn at least 16 during the Olympic year are flawed. Karolyi’s complaints are nothing new. But when they come moments after the Chinese have competed at the Olympics, well, they come across more loudly than ever.
“What kind of slap in the face is this?” he asked. “They are 12, 14 years old, max. And they line them up for the world … and having the government back them.
“Since they forced an age limit, it has gotten worse and worse. The FIG is running away from the age problem. They set an age limit and now they can’t control it.”
International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) officials have accepted the passports of the Chinese women, which indicate all are old enough to compete. Karolyi is originally from Romania, and he says falsifying documents is a common practice in countries such as Romania, Russia and other former Soviet bloc nations.
The solution, he said, is to not have any age limit. He believes if a gymnast is good enough to earn a spot at the Olympics or world championships, that athlete deserves to go. He said some juniors today are just as proficient as the age-eligble competitors. Nastia Liukin, for example, would certainly have made the squad for the Athens Games four years ago had she not been 14.
Karolyi’s wife, Martha, the national coordinator for the U.S. women’s team, agrees that if there are any questions about age, just eliminate the restrictions being broken.
“If it’s true,” she said of any nation using underage gymnasts, “the only situation is to lift up the age limit. It would be an even playing field for everyone.”
Bela Karolyi praised the Chinese for their skills on the various apparatus, and for their competitiveness. His issue is not with the athletes, of course, but with those who would use them as pawns in the chase for medals.
Very young pawns.
“They do good gymnastics and are a good service for the sport,” he said of the Chinese. “They have the ultimate effective training program. That’s why I am more upset that they are cheating. They don’t need cheating. They would be just as good a lineup of eligible athletes.”
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Favre's new uniform is unveiled
(picture courtesy of the Associated Press via Yahoo! News)
Is this just me, or is Brett Favre not looking comfortable. This is Favre showing off his new uniform before the Jets' preseason game in Cleveland. I'm sure he'll soon learn the Jets' system, but I hope he doesn't regret his comeback.
The good thing from Favre's press conference was that he still praised the Green Bay Packers. He said he will always be a Packer. I, for one, was glad to hear that. And, I wish good luck to Chad Pennington on finding a new team as well as Aaron Rodgers who will have big shoes to fill.
My prediction, the Packers will receive a second-round pick for the 2009 NFL Draft from the Jets. Also, the Packers will find a way, probably ugly, to the NFC Championship Game this year. The Packers have a great team this year, even Favre said and still said today that the current Packers are the "most talented team" he's ever played with.
Go, You Packers, Go!
GO PACK GO!
Surreal 4-Jets
It's official. Brett Favre is adorning a New York Jets hat. I would have never thought I would see Brett Favre wearing another other NFL teams hat other than the Green Bay Packers. This is so surreal.
Hey, at least the Packers will get at least a second-round pick if Favre plays like Favre can play. Good luck Aaron Rodgers. Show the world what you are made of.
Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy reads a statement regarding the Favre trade today. Head coach Mike McCarthy and General Manager Ted Thompson are left to right.
For the transcript from today's press conference, click here.
(Picture is courtesy of the Associated Press and Yahoo! News)
A look at newspapers in Wisconsin
Green Bay Press-Gazette
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Wausau Daily Herald
The Reporter (Fond du Lac)
(thanks to Newseum.com for the front pages)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Wausau Daily Herald
The Reporter (Fond du Lac)
(thanks to Newseum.com for the front pages)
CBS-58 Milwaukee aims to air Jets games
WDJT (CBS-58) Milwaukee plans to air Jets games this year with it's Sunday football coverage. The station is a CBS affiliate and with all the local interest in Brett Favre it has asked the league to allow them to air most of the Jets games instead of "local" AFC games.
CBS-58 will air Green Bay Packers games when they are on CBS.
Brett Favre in, Chad Pennington out
According to the New York Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum during a conference call this morning Jets' quarterback Chad Pennington will be leaving the Jets. Details of this transaction will be done at 4 p.m. Thursday. It is likely that Pennington will be released.
Favre Trade Details, Packers Statement
Here's the trade:
The Green Bay Packers trade Brett Favre to the New York Jets for a conditional fourth-round pick depending on Favre's play. Here's what could happen with the conditions:
Packers currently receive a 4th-round pick.
Favre takes 50 percent of the snaps, 3rd-round pick.
Favre takes 70 percent of the snaps and to the playoffs, 2nd-round pick.
Favre takes 80 percent of the snaps and to the Super Bowl, 1st-round pick.
If the Jets trade Favre to the Vikings, the Packers receive three 1st-round picks from the Jets next year.
(Source: NFL Network's Adam Schefter.)
And the statement:
Packers Reach Agreement To Trade Brett Favre To N.Y. Jets
The Green Bay Packers have reached an agreement to trade quarterback Brett Favre to the New York Jets. Terms of the trade are not available at this time. The two teams agreed to the trade Wednesday night.
Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy and Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations Ted Thompson issued the following joint statement:
"Brett has had a long and storied career in Green Bay, and the Packers owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude for everything he accomplished on the field and for the impact he made in the state. It is with some sadness that we make this announcement, but also with the desire for certainty that will allow us to move the team and organization forward in the most positive way possible.
"We respect Brett's decision that he could no longer remain here as a Packer. But there were certain things we were not willing to do because they were not in the best interest of the team. We were not going to release him nor trade him to a team within the division. When Brett ultimately decided that he still wanted to play football, but not in Green Bay, we told him that we would work to find the best solution for all parties involved. We wish Brett and his family well.
"We appreciate the tremendous passion shown by our fans. We, like them, always will see Brett Favre as a Green Bay Packer and our respect for him never will change. Moving forward, we are dedicated to delivering a successful 2008 season for all Packers fans."
Favre leaves Green Bay as the NFL's all-time leader in most major passing categories - touchdowns (442), yards (61,655), completions (5,377) and attempts (8,758) - and his 253-game starting streak intact. By playing 16 seasons in a Packers uniform (1992-2007), he matches Bart Starr (1956-71) for the longest tenure in team history among his 30 team records.
(Source: Packers.com)
The Green Bay Packers trade Brett Favre to the New York Jets for a conditional fourth-round pick depending on Favre's play. Here's what could happen with the conditions:
Packers currently receive a 4th-round pick.
Favre takes 50 percent of the snaps, 3rd-round pick.
Favre takes 70 percent of the snaps and to the playoffs, 2nd-round pick.
Favre takes 80 percent of the snaps and to the Super Bowl, 1st-round pick.
If the Jets trade Favre to the Vikings, the Packers receive three 1st-round picks from the Jets next year.
(Source: NFL Network's Adam Schefter.)
And the statement:
Packers Reach Agreement To Trade Brett Favre To N.Y. Jets
The Green Bay Packers have reached an agreement to trade quarterback Brett Favre to the New York Jets. Terms of the trade are not available at this time. The two teams agreed to the trade Wednesday night.
Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy and Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations Ted Thompson issued the following joint statement:
"Brett has had a long and storied career in Green Bay, and the Packers owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude for everything he accomplished on the field and for the impact he made in the state. It is with some sadness that we make this announcement, but also with the desire for certainty that will allow us to move the team and organization forward in the most positive way possible.
"We respect Brett's decision that he could no longer remain here as a Packer. But there were certain things we were not willing to do because they were not in the best interest of the team. We were not going to release him nor trade him to a team within the division. When Brett ultimately decided that he still wanted to play football, but not in Green Bay, we told him that we would work to find the best solution for all parties involved. We wish Brett and his family well.
"We appreciate the tremendous passion shown by our fans. We, like them, always will see Brett Favre as a Green Bay Packer and our respect for him never will change. Moving forward, we are dedicated to delivering a successful 2008 season for all Packers fans."
Favre leaves Green Bay as the NFL's all-time leader in most major passing categories - touchdowns (442), yards (61,655), completions (5,377) and attempts (8,758) - and his 253-game starting streak intact. By playing 16 seasons in a Packers uniform (1992-2007), he matches Bart Starr (1956-71) for the longest tenure in team history among his 30 team records.
(Source: Packers.com)
Brett better go to Hall of Fame as a Packer
Brett Favre better forget about his trouble this offseason when he is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The only thing that can destroy his legacy is if he is inducted as a New York Jet and not a Green Bay Packer.
Time will tell, but he better not make another mistake in the next coming years. Remember there is a thin line between love and hate.
Time will tell, but he better not make another mistake in the next coming years. Remember there is a thin line between love and hate.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Fox Sports reports Favre is now a Jet
It appears the Brett Favre era in Green Bay is over. Jay Glazer of FoxSports.com reports that Favre is now a New York Jet.
For one, I am glad he is not in the NFC. I didn't want to see Favre come back to Green Bay in another team's uniform. But one thing has not changed, he will be playing in a green home uniform. I hope Favre gets what he wants and he is happy. But I bet in the long term, Favre wishes he didn't make that retiring mistake.
As for the Packers, they made the right move by trading him outside the conference. I just hope that Favre doesn't get himself injured on a team that isn't exactly a playoff contender.
I will always be a Brett Favre fan, but I am a Packers fan first.
FoxSports.com story
Whatever the Packers do is right
Brett Favre won't retire. Brett Favre doesn't feel comfortable playing for the Green Bay Packers. This is as it is, according to Coach Mike McCarthy and it must be true because Favre hasn't disputed it.
Favre doesn't know what to do besides football. McCarthy said to Favre that he knows that Brett gives the Packers the best shot this year to win the Super Bowl but he doesn't have the right "mindset" to do that at this time.
Brett will always be a Packer. But, it's sad to see how he mishandled the whole situation. Instead of only talking to ESPN and Fox News, he should have had a real news conference telling his side of the story. He should have went to Green Bay as soon as he had that urge to play. He didn't have to show up to Lambeau Field, but he should have been in the same city to make the issues better.
Favre may have ruined his legacy. He doesn't know when to quit. He doesn't know when to retire. But he can play football.
What I worry about now is that he'll get injured this year on a team that he is not comfortable with. My worst feeling is that he could get injured by a former teammate week four when the Green Bay Packers play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (the Bucs are a team he could be traded to).
The Packers have to move on. Aaron Rodgers has to be so nervous right now with all the attention on him now. He has to replace Favre and now could have the burden of beating Favre this season.
Packers fans, like me, will all eventually back the management of the Packers and forget about our favorite quarterback.
Favre doesn't know what to do besides football. McCarthy said to Favre that he knows that Brett gives the Packers the best shot this year to win the Super Bowl but he doesn't have the right "mindset" to do that at this time.
Brett will always be a Packer. But, it's sad to see how he mishandled the whole situation. Instead of only talking to ESPN and Fox News, he should have had a real news conference telling his side of the story. He should have went to Green Bay as soon as he had that urge to play. He didn't have to show up to Lambeau Field, but he should have been in the same city to make the issues better.
Favre may have ruined his legacy. He doesn't know when to quit. He doesn't know when to retire. But he can play football.
What I worry about now is that he'll get injured this year on a team that he is not comfortable with. My worst feeling is that he could get injured by a former teammate week four when the Green Bay Packers play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (the Bucs are a team he could be traded to).
The Packers have to move on. Aaron Rodgers has to be so nervous right now with all the attention on him now. He has to replace Favre and now could have the burden of beating Favre this season.
Packers fans, like me, will all eventually back the management of the Packers and forget about our favorite quarterback.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Favre Better Not Be Tarnishing His Legacy
A report from the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel said that Brett Favre (on a Green Bay Packers given cell phone) made repeated calls to the Minnesota Vikings. Phone records say he called offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell (Favre's friend) and Vikings coach Brad Childress.
At this point, the Packers have the advantage. And just a few days ago, Favre praised the Packers at the Packers Hall of Fame ceremony.
If Favre plays for the Vikings, his legacy is tarnished forever. As this Packers fan sees it, the Vikings are the Packers greatest rival, not the Bears. (The Bears are historically, but not so much in the past 20 years.)
Story:
------------------------------------
Report: Favre called Minnesota coaches
MILWAUKEE (Ticker) - Brett Favre knows how to call an audible. A phone call could be another matter.
Favre made “repeated” calls to a pair of Minnesota Vikings coaches using a cell phone issued by the Green Bay Packers, according to a story in Tuesday’s Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Citing sources, the newspaper reported that the nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback made numerous calls to both Vikings coach Brad Childress and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell.
Green Bay officials learned of the phone calls by checking the phone records, according to the Journal Sentinel.
The revelation comes a week after the Packers filed tampering charges against the Vikings for inappropriate dialogue with Favre, who announced his retirement in March but asked Green Bay to reinstate him earlier this month.
Minnesota officials declined to comment on the tampering charges last week, releasing a brief statement that such matters are handled by the league.
Bevell, who served as the quarterbacks coach for the Packers from 2003-05, remains close with Favre so the thinking goes that even a heavy volume of phone calls between the two might not constitute tampering.
However, if the three-time Most Valuable Player was making calls to Childress, particularly before Favre asked the Packers to release him so he could play for another team, Green Bay’s case would be considerably strengthened.
The Journal Sentinel also reported that the Baltimore Ravens turned down a trade proposal for Favre, who was told by the Packers he could return in a backup role.
Meanwhile, the NFL Network reported that Green Bay is sending out feelers to assess Favre’s value on the trade market.
The Packers have spoken to teams in both conferences about a potential deal, according to the report.
At this point, the Packers have the advantage. And just a few days ago, Favre praised the Packers at the Packers Hall of Fame ceremony.
If Favre plays for the Vikings, his legacy is tarnished forever. As this Packers fan sees it, the Vikings are the Packers greatest rival, not the Bears. (The Bears are historically, but not so much in the past 20 years.)
Story:
------------------------------------
Report: Favre called Minnesota coaches
MILWAUKEE (Ticker) - Brett Favre knows how to call an audible. A phone call could be another matter.
Favre made “repeated” calls to a pair of Minnesota Vikings coaches using a cell phone issued by the Green Bay Packers, according to a story in Tuesday’s Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Citing sources, the newspaper reported that the nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback made numerous calls to both Vikings coach Brad Childress and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell.
Green Bay officials learned of the phone calls by checking the phone records, according to the Journal Sentinel.
The revelation comes a week after the Packers filed tampering charges against the Vikings for inappropriate dialogue with Favre, who announced his retirement in March but asked Green Bay to reinstate him earlier this month.
Minnesota officials declined to comment on the tampering charges last week, releasing a brief statement that such matters are handled by the league.
Bevell, who served as the quarterbacks coach for the Packers from 2003-05, remains close with Favre so the thinking goes that even a heavy volume of phone calls between the two might not constitute tampering.
However, if the three-time Most Valuable Player was making calls to Childress, particularly before Favre asked the Packers to release him so he could play for another team, Green Bay’s case would be considerably strengthened.
The Journal Sentinel also reported that the Baltimore Ravens turned down a trade proposal for Favre, who was told by the Packers he could return in a backup role.
Meanwhile, the NFL Network reported that Green Bay is sending out feelers to assess Favre’s value on the trade market.
The Packers have spoken to teams in both conferences about a potential deal, according to the report.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Why the U.S. Should Boycott Beijing Olympics
Every American should know by now of all the atrocities the People's Republic of China has done to its people. But this is not what I'm going to focus on. What is important is the Olympic Games right now. However I still feel bad for all the millions who have died within PRC's borders.
Here are the reasons the U.S. should boycott the Beijing Games. First, the PRC has told all of its restaurants and bars to not serve blacks and Mongolians. I know China hates Mongolia, that's why they built the Great Wall after all, but I feel that by not serving blacks that this is a cheap-shot towards Team U.S.A. I don't know what the Chinese Communist Government is thinking, but I hear that CNN is running a series about what it is like to be "Black in America." At this point I want to see what it is like to be "Black in the People's Republic of China" and see the vast difference in civil rights. Americans have rights, Chinese do not. I assume that the non-black American athletes will have to get their black friends food, at least I hope they can do that. There's nothing better than sack lunches at the Olympic Games.
Secondly, no dancing. Yep. No dancing. The PRC doesn't like fun, so they have banned dancing. So don't get to happy, or else you will end up in a place you don't want to be.
Thirdly, only people from Beijing are allowed in the city during the Games. There will be check points around the city to not allow people who are not from Beijing into the city. I can see some reason for this, after all, the PRC has over a billion people, but this is the country's Games, not just Beijing's.
Fourthly, no flights in and out of Beijing during the Games. If you are a local, you are stuck in the city and if you are an athlete, you are stuck in the city. Better hope nothing bad happens.
Fifthly, pollution. The pollution in China, particularly in Beijing, is the worst in the world. All athletes that have to compete outdoors will have slower times because they wont be able to breathe as well. This will be particularly bad for marathon runners.
Sixly, there will be cameras everywhere watching everyones every move around the city.
Lastly, how long will it take for the PRC to take control of the broadcast coverage of the Olympic Games? You do know that the television stations in the PRC are state-run, right?
Great choice International Olympic Committee! What a winner of a country! All those freedoms and everyone is happy!
IN THE NEWS:
Fears of no-fun games in Beijing
Africans in Beijing harassed as Olympics approach
Beijing airport denies closing for Olympics opening
Friday, July 18, 2008
Is The Tour de France Marred by Doping?
It seems like every year there is some controversy with a biker in the Tour de France. Year after year, there was talk that Lance Armstrong was doping, but there was never any proof. His controversy could have been that he won a record-breaking seven Tour championships and he was American.
Each year, nothing changes. There have been riders caught doping since the Tour began in 1903. Recently, another American named Floyd Landis (when in 1st place) was banned from riding when he was caught with a positive testosterone imbalance in 2006. Also that year another favorite to win Jan Ullrich of Germany was banned with a suspicion of doping.
This keeps continuing. This week Italian rider Riccardo Ricco (was in 1st place)was banned for doping and later fired by his team.
It is no wonder that the Tour de France is also known as the "Tour of Shame." The International Cycling Union has banned performance enhancing substances, yet it seems riders are not afraid of taking that chance.
What will it take for riders to win fair-and-square?
Colts' Stadium Does It Again
The Indiana Stadium and Convention Building Authority are to re-issue free tickets for its Lucas Oil Stadium tour.
Last time, many scalpers held up the Ticketmaster online service by keeping the average fan from getting a free ticket.
So, the Authority does the same thing again. So smart. There has to be a better way. Maybe just have the people who want the tickets actually get them in person instead of online. This could deter many scalpers.
-------------------------------------
Here is the Indianapolis Star article:
City adds new free Lucas tour
By Bess Davis
Posted: July 17, 2008
Didn’t get tickets to one of the four free public tours of Lucas Oil Stadium?
Don’t fret. The stadium authority is adding yet another tour, which means another 20,000 free tickets will be available, beginning at 10 a.m. Tuesday.
The tickets will be available at the Conseco Fieldhouse box office and online at Ticketmaster.com.
Mayor Greg Ballard requested adding the fifth tour, which will take place at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 16, because of the huge demand. Unlike tickets for the earlier tours, these are limited to four per person.
The Indiana Stadium and Convention Building Authority had originally made available 60,000 free tickets for three tours. But those tickets were snapped up in less than a half-hour Monday morning. The authority quickly added another tour, but those 20,000 tickets were also snatched within an hour.
And almost as soon as those tickets were gone, some fans began selling them online, much to the dismay of the stadium authority.
The new tour, like the others, will allow the public to take a self-guided look at several areas within the $700 million downtown facility, including suites and the locker room, as well as walk on the field and purchase refreshments from the new concession stands.
The $700 million stadium will open with the Aug. 22 PeyBack Classic featuring two high school football games, followed by a Colts preseason game Aug. 24 against the Buffalo Bills.
Last time, many scalpers held up the Ticketmaster online service by keeping the average fan from getting a free ticket.
So, the Authority does the same thing again. So smart. There has to be a better way. Maybe just have the people who want the tickets actually get them in person instead of online. This could deter many scalpers.
-------------------------------------
Here is the Indianapolis Star article:
City adds new free Lucas tour
By Bess Davis
Posted: July 17, 2008
Didn’t get tickets to one of the four free public tours of Lucas Oil Stadium?
Don’t fret. The stadium authority is adding yet another tour, which means another 20,000 free tickets will be available, beginning at 10 a.m. Tuesday.
The tickets will be available at the Conseco Fieldhouse box office and online at Ticketmaster.com.
Mayor Greg Ballard requested adding the fifth tour, which will take place at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 16, because of the huge demand. Unlike tickets for the earlier tours, these are limited to four per person.
The Indiana Stadium and Convention Building Authority had originally made available 60,000 free tickets for three tours. But those tickets were snapped up in less than a half-hour Monday morning. The authority quickly added another tour, but those 20,000 tickets were also snatched within an hour.
And almost as soon as those tickets were gone, some fans began selling them online, much to the dismay of the stadium authority.
The new tour, like the others, will allow the public to take a self-guided look at several areas within the $700 million downtown facility, including suites and the locker room, as well as walk on the field and purchase refreshments from the new concession stands.
The $700 million stadium will open with the Aug. 22 PeyBack Classic featuring two high school football games, followed by a Colts preseason game Aug. 24 against the Buffalo Bills.
What is the Best Soap Opera?
Ok, here is the question if you haven't noticed already. What is the best soap opera? Here are the choices:
(1) Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers, (2) WWE's Edge and Vickie Guerrero's love and "La Familia", or (3) CBS' The Young and the Restless (or any other daytime drama)?
Here are some things to think about. Which of the three has a predictable ending? Which will seem to be repetitive after a while? Which one is holding you the most captive?
(1) Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers, (2) WWE's Edge and Vickie Guerrero's love and "La Familia", or (3) CBS' The Young and the Restless (or any other daytime drama)?
Here are some things to think about. Which of the three has a predictable ending? Which will seem to be repetitive after a while? Which one is holding you the most captive?
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Packers File Tampering Charges Against Vikings
Story:
Packers accusing Vikings of 'illegal contact' with Favre
NFL.com Wire Reports
While the next step in Brett Favre's plan to return to the field remains unclear, the latest twist in the saga surrounding the future Hall of Fame quarterback is that the Green Bay Packers are serious about keeping him away from NFC North rivals.
The Packers have filed tampering charges with the NFL against the Minnesota Vikings for what they deem to be "illegal contact" with Favre, reports NFL Network's Adam Schefter.
Nati Harnik / Associated Press
Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell spent five seasons (2000-05) on the Packers' coaching staff, including the final three as quarterbacks coach.
The NFL is believed to be already investigating the charges. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the league had no comment on the report. Packers general manager Ted Thompson also declined comment on tampering rumors in an interview with The AP on Saturday. The AP left a phone message for Vikings spokesman Bob Hagan on Wednesday, seeking comment.
It's commonly known that Favre has a close relationship with Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, who spent five seasons on the Green Bay staff, including the last three as quarterbacks coach.
The Packers have supplied league officials with what they view as evidence, reports Schefter.
If Favre does plan on returning to the field this season, it appears he's willing to take his time in doing so. He has publicly stated his intentions to play this season and has requested his release from the Packers, but has yet to file for reinstatement with the league.
"There's no set deadline for us to file for reinstatement," Favre's agent, James "Bus" Cook, told Schefter during a brief telephone conversation Wednesday. "We have no definitive plans to file those papers. We have until the sixth week of the season to do that. That’s not to say we wouldn’t do it sooner. But right now we have no timeline to file any papers."
Reached Wednesday evening, Packers spokesman Jeff Blumb indicated to The AP that no response was forthcoming from the team.
The Packers placed Favre on the reserve/retired list on April 25, meaning that the future Hall of Famer no longer counted against the team's 80-player roster. To be reinstated off that list, Favre would have to send written notification to the Packers and the NFL of his intentions to play.
Once the league is notified, the Packers would have approximately 24 hours to make a decision to either activate or release Favre.
Favre spoke publicly for the first time about his latest retirement decision reversal in an interview with Fox News on "On the Record with Greta Van Susteren" earlier this week.
"The bottom line is, I may not play anywhere," Favre said during the interview. "If I'm going to play, it's going to be 100 percent commitment.
Favre wasn't certain where he would play if he did choose to return to the NFL.
"I've always been a Packer, always will be a Packer," he said. "Will I play somewhere else? Remains to be seen."
The Associated Press contributed to this report
-----------
My Take:
This is probably nothing, but the Vikings did talk with Brett Favre. It may have been a friendly chat between friends, or an offer. Who knows. But the Packers have to do what they have to do and that is to file a grievance against the Vikings just to be safe. And if it was an offer, the Vikings lose a draft pick. So no bad news there. I am a Packers fan after all.
I think after this whole ordeal is over, Favre will be wearing the home green come week one. In one way or an other.
Packers accusing Vikings of 'illegal contact' with Favre
NFL.com Wire Reports
While the next step in Brett Favre's plan to return to the field remains unclear, the latest twist in the saga surrounding the future Hall of Fame quarterback is that the Green Bay Packers are serious about keeping him away from NFC North rivals.
The Packers have filed tampering charges with the NFL against the Minnesota Vikings for what they deem to be "illegal contact" with Favre, reports NFL Network's Adam Schefter.
Nati Harnik / Associated Press
Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell spent five seasons (2000-05) on the Packers' coaching staff, including the final three as quarterbacks coach.
The NFL is believed to be already investigating the charges. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the league had no comment on the report. Packers general manager Ted Thompson also declined comment on tampering rumors in an interview with The AP on Saturday. The AP left a phone message for Vikings spokesman Bob Hagan on Wednesday, seeking comment.
It's commonly known that Favre has a close relationship with Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, who spent five seasons on the Green Bay staff, including the last three as quarterbacks coach.
The Packers have supplied league officials with what they view as evidence, reports Schefter.
If Favre does plan on returning to the field this season, it appears he's willing to take his time in doing so. He has publicly stated his intentions to play this season and has requested his release from the Packers, but has yet to file for reinstatement with the league.
"There's no set deadline for us to file for reinstatement," Favre's agent, James "Bus" Cook, told Schefter during a brief telephone conversation Wednesday. "We have no definitive plans to file those papers. We have until the sixth week of the season to do that. That’s not to say we wouldn’t do it sooner. But right now we have no timeline to file any papers."
Reached Wednesday evening, Packers spokesman Jeff Blumb indicated to The AP that no response was forthcoming from the team.
The Packers placed Favre on the reserve/retired list on April 25, meaning that the future Hall of Famer no longer counted against the team's 80-player roster. To be reinstated off that list, Favre would have to send written notification to the Packers and the NFL of his intentions to play.
Once the league is notified, the Packers would have approximately 24 hours to make a decision to either activate or release Favre.
Favre spoke publicly for the first time about his latest retirement decision reversal in an interview with Fox News on "On the Record with Greta Van Susteren" earlier this week.
"The bottom line is, I may not play anywhere," Favre said during the interview. "If I'm going to play, it's going to be 100 percent commitment.
Favre wasn't certain where he would play if he did choose to return to the NFL.
"I've always been a Packer, always will be a Packer," he said. "Will I play somewhere else? Remains to be seen."
The Associated Press contributed to this report
-----------
My Take:
This is probably nothing, but the Vikings did talk with Brett Favre. It may have been a friendly chat between friends, or an offer. Who knows. But the Packers have to do what they have to do and that is to file a grievance against the Vikings just to be safe. And if it was an offer, the Vikings lose a draft pick. So no bad news there. I am a Packers fan after all.
I think after this whole ordeal is over, Favre will be wearing the home green come week one. In one way or an other.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
"The Interview" with Greta Van Susteren
PART ONE
Monday July 14 (Courtesy of YouTube via Fox News Channel and On The Record w/Greta Van Susteren)
PART TWO
Tuesday July 15 (Courtesy of YouTube via Fox News Channel and On The Record w/Greta Van Susteren)
Monday July 14 (Courtesy of YouTube via Fox News Channel and On The Record w/Greta Van Susteren)
PART TWO
Tuesday July 15 (Courtesy of YouTube via Fox News Channel and On The Record w/Greta Van Susteren)
Monday, July 14, 2008
Favre: Year in Review
Packers detail timeline of Favre’s decisions
By CHRIS JENKINS, AP Sports Writer Jul 12, 8:34 pm EDT
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP)—A timeline of communication between the Green Bay Packers and Brett Favre, regarding Favre’s decision to retire in March and request to be released this week, based on an Associated Press interview with Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy and general manager Ted Thompson on Saturday:
— Week of Jan. 22: After the Packers’ overtime loss to the New York Giants in the NFC Championship game, McCarthy tells Favre they hope to take a similar approach to his retirement decision as in the past, allowing Favre plenty of time to make his decision. They agree to talk regularly.
— Feb. 22: Thompson calls Favre after getting word that Favre was upset Thompson hadn’t called him in a while. According to Thompson, Favre said, “Well, I don’t know where that’s coming from. That doesn’t come from me. I’m fine with it.” Thompson said he reassures Favre: “You know that Mike and me, we still think you can play, you’re still our guy.”
— Feb. 29: The beginning of free agency, the Packers’ original target date for Favre’s decision. “He told me that day, he said, ‘Hey, if I needed to make a decision today, I would retire,”’ McCarthy said. “I said, ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa. It’s not that important. Ted and I have talked about it over and over again as far as, you’re the priority and we didn’t need to stick to that date. So you need more time? Sure. How much time do you need? He said, ‘I’ll tell you what. (Wife) Deanna and I are going to sit down this weekend, why don’t you call me Monday?”’
— March 3: McCarthy travels to Austin, Texas, for his daughter’s high school basketball banquet. At this point, McCarthy isn’t worried.
“We thought for sure he was going to come back,” McCarthy said. “I thought he was working, just going through the process, and he needed more time.”
But Favre surprises McCarthy by calling and saying he “can not commit 100 percent” to football and is going to retire. McCarthy says he offers Favre the chance to return with a guarantee that he wouldn’t have to take as many repetitions in practice.
No deal. McCarthy travels back to Green Bay and the Packers announce Favre’s retirement decision March 4.
— March 6: Favre’s tearful press conference. McCarthy says he is surprised at how honest Favre is about the reasons behind his decision—particularly about not being able to commit 100 percent to football.
— Week of March 24: During the coaching staff’s spring break, Packers offensive line coach James Campen, whose in-laws live in New Orleans, goes up to visit Favre in Mississippi on March 26. On the 27th, Campen tells McCarthy Favre is having second thoughts and McCarthy should call him.
He does, and learns that Favre indeed is having second thoughts. McCarthy and Thompson decide they will welcome him back. They secure a private jet from a Packers board member to visit Favre in person and seal the deal.
— March 29: Favre calls McCarthy to deliver a message: Thanks, but no thanks.
“He felt at this point we had reached a point of closure,” McCarthy said. “Those were his words. And he was going to stick with his initial decision.”
— McCarthy talks to Favre again the week of April 7 and April 14 and on April 24. On the 24th, McCarthy explains the team’s decision to place Favre on the reserve/retired list.
— May 6: With the NFL draft out of the way, Thompson visits Favre in Mississippi and has lunch on his back porch. Thompson says they have a “good conversation,” but don’t spend too much time talking about the idea that he might be having second thoughts.
“We didn’t talk specifically about it,” Thompson says. “But he mentioned several things where there was always indecisiveness, or he was wondering if he made the right decision. I think that’s normal.”
— June 7: During a staff retreat in Kohler, Wis., Campen says he’s worried about Favre. McCarthy tells Campen to go to Mississippi—not as an official team intermediary, but as Favre’s friend.
— June 16-20: Acting on Campen’s advice, McCarthy calls Favre. They play phone tag for a few days but eventually connect. “You and Ted need to have a plan if I do come back,” Favre says, according to McCarthy. “Either give me my helmet or give me my release.”
At that point, McCarthy asks Favre if he was 100 percent committed to a return. “He said, ‘No, no, I’m not saying I’m there yet.”’
— June 20-early July: Favre and Campen talk regularly, and Favre’s agent, Bus Cook, begins passing messages to the team through Campen. “James was put in a tough spot, and I think he’s totally been wrongly illustrated in this,” McCarthy said.
— July 4: Favre sends a text message to Thompson, who responds by saying he is traveling and asks if they can talk Monday. Cook begins texting Thompson, and a conference call is arranged.
— July 8: A conference call is scheduled involving Favre, Cook, Thompson, McCarthy and Russ Ball, the team’s VP of football administration/player finance, to discuss Favre’s request for a release. McCarthy asks Favre if he is 100 percent committed to football—and for the first time throughout the entire offseason, Favre says yes.
“We’re trying to be as respectful to him and his legacy as possible, but that’s an important piece of the puzzle,” McCarthy said. “As an organization, Ted and I, that’s the first time any communication to us was, he was committed to play.”
The Packers then receive a letter from Cook requesting his release.
“That brings us to where we are, which is a very difficult situation,” Thompson said.
(Link to AP story)
Pictures courtesy of Sports Illustrated, link to page.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
UPDATE: Favre's Return to the Packers
(From the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)
Favre return making things messy for Thompson
By Tom Silverstein
Saturday, Jul 12 2008, 02:36 PM
Green Bay -- Refusing to rule out the possibility of Brett Favre playing for the Green Bay Packers this season but at the same time reiterating that Aaron Rodgers is currently his starter, general manager Ted Thompson admitted during a half-hour interview Saturday that he was dealing with a messy situation.
Thompson, who agreed to conduct interviews with several local media outlets, did not publicly dissuade Favre from filing reinstatement papers and did not go as far as saying there was no way he would play for the Packers this season. But he said he could not answer whether there would be an opportunity for Favre to get his starting position back with the Packers if he chose to return.
"We have to go with what's real," Thompson said. "We don't know what the options are right now. We'll talk about it internally. It's all guess work.
"This is a very difficult spot we're in. It's a very volatile situation and we don't have all the answers yet."
Asked if there was a chance Favre could be on his roster this year, Thompson said, "Sure."
As a starter?
"I don't know how to answer that," he said. "We have moved forward. So we'll see where it goes."
Asked if he was concerned that Rodgers would wash his hands of the Packers after his contract is up were he stripped of his starting job at the start of training camp, Thompson said, "We'll deal with that when it comes up."
Then he said, "Aaron Rodgers is our starting quarterback."
Thompson declined to answer which quarterback gives the Packers the best chance to go to the Super Bowl.
Greg Aiello, an NFL spokesman, said he was not aware whether Favre had officially petitioned NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for reinstatement. Goodell is in Afghanistan.
Thompson admitted that anything could happen between now and the start of training camp and that though the team will discuss the possibility of Favre coming back, it will do nothing until Favre signs reinstatement papers. Though Favre has made it clear he wants to come back, he has not officially informed the Packers at anytime this off-season that he wants to play for the Packers again, Thompson said.
The Packers general manager said that in late March, he received word from offensive line coach James Campen, a close friend of Favre's, that the quarterback was having strong feelings about coming back from retirement. Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy discussed the possibility of Favre returning and both agreed it was not too late for him to come back.
They sent word to Favre that he was welcome back and that they would fly down to Mississippi to finalize plans for his return. But within days of telling Favre of their plans, Favre called back and said he and wife Deanna had decided to stick with their original decision on retirement.
Thompson went through a time line of events from the end of the NFC Championship Game to last Tuesday when Favre called to ask for his release. He said he visited Favre at his home in Mississippi and in April and Favre did not ask him whether he could return to play for the Packers.
The latest development caught Thompson and McCarthy by surprise and both men were struggling with how to handle a muddled situation.
"There are people out there who I know are anxious and mad and nervous and all those things," Thompson said. "I want people to know that we know that. We're going through the same things. It's gut-wrenching when you think about it. We're struggling to do the right thing. We don't have all the answers.
"It doesn't bother me when people think we picked the wrong guy or we made a personnel decision that wasn't right. But when it gets to something as core value as this, it concerns me that there would be people who would think less of us. That's important to me. It always has been.
"People think I'm stoic and don't care what anybody thinks. Sure I do. If it's something like a draft pick, I'm fine with that. I want people to know that I know fans care so much and we care too. We care about the legacy of the Packers and the legacy of Brett Favre."
"We don't have all the answers."
Favre return making things messy for Thompson
By Tom Silverstein
Saturday, Jul 12 2008, 02:36 PM
Green Bay -- Refusing to rule out the possibility of Brett Favre playing for the Green Bay Packers this season but at the same time reiterating that Aaron Rodgers is currently his starter, general manager Ted Thompson admitted during a half-hour interview Saturday that he was dealing with a messy situation.
Thompson, who agreed to conduct interviews with several local media outlets, did not publicly dissuade Favre from filing reinstatement papers and did not go as far as saying there was no way he would play for the Packers this season. But he said he could not answer whether there would be an opportunity for Favre to get his starting position back with the Packers if he chose to return.
"We have to go with what's real," Thompson said. "We don't know what the options are right now. We'll talk about it internally. It's all guess work.
"This is a very difficult spot we're in. It's a very volatile situation and we don't have all the answers yet."
Asked if there was a chance Favre could be on his roster this year, Thompson said, "Sure."
As a starter?
"I don't know how to answer that," he said. "We have moved forward. So we'll see where it goes."
Asked if he was concerned that Rodgers would wash his hands of the Packers after his contract is up were he stripped of his starting job at the start of training camp, Thompson said, "We'll deal with that when it comes up."
Then he said, "Aaron Rodgers is our starting quarterback."
Thompson declined to answer which quarterback gives the Packers the best chance to go to the Super Bowl.
Greg Aiello, an NFL spokesman, said he was not aware whether Favre had officially petitioned NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for reinstatement. Goodell is in Afghanistan.
Thompson admitted that anything could happen between now and the start of training camp and that though the team will discuss the possibility of Favre coming back, it will do nothing until Favre signs reinstatement papers. Though Favre has made it clear he wants to come back, he has not officially informed the Packers at anytime this off-season that he wants to play for the Packers again, Thompson said.
The Packers general manager said that in late March, he received word from offensive line coach James Campen, a close friend of Favre's, that the quarterback was having strong feelings about coming back from retirement. Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy discussed the possibility of Favre returning and both agreed it was not too late for him to come back.
They sent word to Favre that he was welcome back and that they would fly down to Mississippi to finalize plans for his return. But within days of telling Favre of their plans, Favre called back and said he and wife Deanna had decided to stick with their original decision on retirement.
Thompson went through a time line of events from the end of the NFC Championship Game to last Tuesday when Favre called to ask for his release. He said he visited Favre at his home in Mississippi and in April and Favre did not ask him whether he could return to play for the Packers.
The latest development caught Thompson and McCarthy by surprise and both men were struggling with how to handle a muddled situation.
"There are people out there who I know are anxious and mad and nervous and all those things," Thompson said. "I want people to know that we know that. We're going through the same things. It's gut-wrenching when you think about it. We're struggling to do the right thing. We don't have all the answers.
"It doesn't bother me when people think we picked the wrong guy or we made a personnel decision that wasn't right. But when it gets to something as core value as this, it concerns me that there would be people who would think less of us. That's important to me. It always has been.
"People think I'm stoic and don't care what anybody thinks. Sure I do. If it's something like a draft pick, I'm fine with that. I want people to know that I know fans care so much and we care too. We care about the legacy of the Packers and the legacy of Brett Favre."
"We don't have all the answers."
Official Statement from the Green Bay Packers, Update from The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
Packers Statement
(July 11, 2008)
The Green Bay Packers are aware of the latest developments regarding Brett Favre.
Brett earned and exercised the right to retire on his terms. We wanted him to return and welcomed him back on more than one occasion.
Brett's press conference and subsequent conversations in the following weeks illustrated his commitment to retirement.
The finality of his decision to retire was accepted by the organization. At that point, the Green Bay Packers made the commitment to move forward with our football team.
As a retired player, Brett has the option to apply for reinstatement with Commissioner Goodell. If that were to occur, he would become an active member of the Green Bay Packers. As always, the Packers will do what's right and in the best interest of the team.
As with all Packers greats, Brett's legacy will always be celebrated by our fans and the organization, regardless of any change in his personal intentions.
Brett and Deanna will always be a part of the Packers family.
-----------------------------------
Thompson, McCarthy say Favre can rejoin team as backup
By Journal Sentinel staff
Saturday, Jul 12 2008, 12:42 PM
The Green Bay Packers' general manager and coach told the Associated Press this morning they don't plan to grant Brett Favre's request for his release.
GM Ted Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy said Favre was welcome to rejoin the team but would have to be a backup.
It was their first public comments since Favre demanded his release this week, four months after announcing his retirement in a tearful news conference.
Thompson and McCarthy did not want to discuss a possible trade. Thompson said he had not received any inquiries as of this morning.
NOTE: Journal Sentinel reporter Tom Silverstein is scheduled to talk to Thompson and McCarthy at 1 p.m. this afternoon. He'll have more on this story from that one-on-one interview later this afternoon.
(July 11, 2008)
The Green Bay Packers are aware of the latest developments regarding Brett Favre.
Brett earned and exercised the right to retire on his terms. We wanted him to return and welcomed him back on more than one occasion.
Brett's press conference and subsequent conversations in the following weeks illustrated his commitment to retirement.
The finality of his decision to retire was accepted by the organization. At that point, the Green Bay Packers made the commitment to move forward with our football team.
As a retired player, Brett has the option to apply for reinstatement with Commissioner Goodell. If that were to occur, he would become an active member of the Green Bay Packers. As always, the Packers will do what's right and in the best interest of the team.
As with all Packers greats, Brett's legacy will always be celebrated by our fans and the organization, regardless of any change in his personal intentions.
Brett and Deanna will always be a part of the Packers family.
-----------------------------------
Thompson, McCarthy say Favre can rejoin team as backup
By Journal Sentinel staff
Saturday, Jul 12 2008, 12:42 PM
The Green Bay Packers' general manager and coach told the Associated Press this morning they don't plan to grant Brett Favre's request for his release.
GM Ted Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy said Favre was welcome to rejoin the team but would have to be a backup.
It was their first public comments since Favre demanded his release this week, four months after announcing his retirement in a tearful news conference.
Thompson and McCarthy did not want to discuss a possible trade. Thompson said he had not received any inquiries as of this morning.
NOTE: Journal Sentinel reporter Tom Silverstein is scheduled to talk to Thompson and McCarthy at 1 p.m. this afternoon. He'll have more on this story from that one-on-one interview later this afternoon.
What are the Packers going to do next?
First the good news: Brett Favre is back!
Now, the bad news: Does Favre want to be back?
Last March, as the world saw, Brett Favre was all teary-eyed as he announced his retirement from the game of football.
Over the past week, ESPN, WTMJ-TV and Radio as well as the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported that Brett Favre had the "itch" to return to the Green Bay Packers. Favre even sent a text message to Packers GM Ted Thompson about his urge to return to the Packers, as it was reported by the above media.
As of yesterday, Brett Favre (or his agent from behind) asked the Packers to grant him an "unconditional release" from the Green Bay Packers. Last night, the Packers made an official announcement on its website saying that they were aware of everything that has gone on over the week. The Packers said that they asked Favre to come back for this upcoming season on numerous occasions before and after his "official retirement" and on each occasion Favre said he was happy being retired.
So the obvious thing happened, the Packers moved on without Brett Favre. The Packers drafted two quarterbacks in the draft just to be safe if Aaron Rodgers would do get injured or was not the true next starter.
Now the Packers are in a predicament.
Here is what they have done officially today, according to the Associated Press via Yahoo! Sports:
---------------------------------------------
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP)—The Green Bay Packers’ general manager and coach say they don’t plan to grant Brett Favre’s request for his release.
GM Ted Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy told The Associated Press on Saturday that the star quarterback was welcome to rejoin the team but would have to be a backup.
It was their first public comments since Favre demanded his release this week. Favre held a tearful news conference to announce his retirement March 6.
Thompson and McCarthy did not want to discuss a possible trade. Thompson said he had not received any inquiries as of Saturday morning.
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Now, here is what I want the Packers to do:
1. Take Brett Favre back
2. Make him work for a starting job against Aaron Rodgers
3. See what happens, no matter what, DON'T TRADE OR RELEASE BRETT FAVRE
The only teams that need a quarterback are the Vikings, Bears, Lions, Bucs and the Ravens. Four of those teams are in the NFC, three are in the NFC North. DON'T LET HIM GO!
I'm happy with Favre on the bench.
He may have ruined his legacy a tad, but if he plays for a NFC North team other than the Packers especially the Vikings, his legacy is over.
As a Packers fan, I see the Vikings as evil. I see the Bears as a formidable rival. And, I see the Lions as just the team in the gutter because they don't win all that much.
Remember everyone that Favre's #4 was to be put into the Packers ring of honor for the Packers opening game, week one against the Vikings? This won't happen now, but will it happen later?
Now, the bad news: Does Favre want to be back?
Last March, as the world saw, Brett Favre was all teary-eyed as he announced his retirement from the game of football.
Over the past week, ESPN, WTMJ-TV and Radio as well as the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported that Brett Favre had the "itch" to return to the Green Bay Packers. Favre even sent a text message to Packers GM Ted Thompson about his urge to return to the Packers, as it was reported by the above media.
As of yesterday, Brett Favre (or his agent from behind) asked the Packers to grant him an "unconditional release" from the Green Bay Packers. Last night, the Packers made an official announcement on its website saying that they were aware of everything that has gone on over the week. The Packers said that they asked Favre to come back for this upcoming season on numerous occasions before and after his "official retirement" and on each occasion Favre said he was happy being retired.
So the obvious thing happened, the Packers moved on without Brett Favre. The Packers drafted two quarterbacks in the draft just to be safe if Aaron Rodgers would do get injured or was not the true next starter.
Now the Packers are in a predicament.
Here is what they have done officially today, according to the Associated Press via Yahoo! Sports:
---------------------------------------------
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP)—The Green Bay Packers’ general manager and coach say they don’t plan to grant Brett Favre’s request for his release.
GM Ted Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy told The Associated Press on Saturday that the star quarterback was welcome to rejoin the team but would have to be a backup.
It was their first public comments since Favre demanded his release this week. Favre held a tearful news conference to announce his retirement March 6.
Thompson and McCarthy did not want to discuss a possible trade. Thompson said he had not received any inquiries as of Saturday morning.
----------------------------------------------
Now, here is what I want the Packers to do:
1. Take Brett Favre back
2. Make him work for a starting job against Aaron Rodgers
3. See what happens, no matter what, DON'T TRADE OR RELEASE BRETT FAVRE
The only teams that need a quarterback are the Vikings, Bears, Lions, Bucs and the Ravens. Four of those teams are in the NFC, three are in the NFC North. DON'T LET HIM GO!
I'm happy with Favre on the bench.
He may have ruined his legacy a tad, but if he plays for a NFC North team other than the Packers especially the Vikings, his legacy is over.
As a Packers fan, I see the Vikings as evil. I see the Bears as a formidable rival. And, I see the Lions as just the team in the gutter because they don't win all that much.
Remember everyone that Favre's #4 was to be put into the Packers ring of honor for the Packers opening game, week one against the Vikings? This won't happen now, but will it happen later?
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Tony Stewart Back To Chevy
NASCAR's Tony Stewart announced yesterday that he will be leaving Joe Gibbs Racing for Haas CNC Racing next season. Stewart the driver of the Home Depot #20 car for his entire Nascar Cup Series career is making a move similar to Dale Earnhardt, Jr.'s of last season.
Gibbs Racing last year changed car manufacturers from Chevrolet to Toyota and Stewart will no longer be racing with Toyota under his new team for next year. He will be returning to the Chevrolet racing family. This will leave Kyle Busch as the only all-star Toyota driver for next year.
Now, my take. I think this is a good move. Stewart and Joe Gibbs Racing have had their differences over the years and it is good to get a fresh start. However, there will be some difficulties. Haas CNC Racing does not have the money that Gibbs had, but Stewart will be part owner of the team. We will get to see first hand on how much Tony Stewart knows the sport of racing.
Gibbs Racing last year changed car manufacturers from Chevrolet to Toyota and Stewart will no longer be racing with Toyota under his new team for next year. He will be returning to the Chevrolet racing family. This will leave Kyle Busch as the only all-star Toyota driver for next year.
Now, my take. I think this is a good move. Stewart and Joe Gibbs Racing have had their differences over the years and it is good to get a fresh start. However, there will be some difficulties. Haas CNC Racing does not have the money that Gibbs had, but Stewart will be part owner of the team. We will get to see first hand on how much Tony Stewart knows the sport of racing.
Will Favre Come Back?
As everyone knows by now, ESPN and WTMJ-Milwaukee reported that Brett Favre has "the itch" to come back to the Green Bay Packers. ESPN has been saying that the Packers need to move on and forget about the past.
Forget about the past? The past brought some great memories. The Vince Lombardi Trophy came back to Titletown (the real one, not that fake 'where is Titletown' on ESPN) and numerous division titles. The Packers became once again a force in the National Football League.
I say if Favre wants to return, let him. But don't make it easy on him. Favre should compete for the starter job with Aaron Rodgers and see who is truly the better of the two quarterbacks. Favre still has a lot in the tank and has at least one more MVP-like year in him. And, going back to the competing for the job. You know who would win the spot, the three-time MVP.
And, if this is all rumor, then it ends there. Favre will be coming back to Lambeau Field this year, either as a player or as a future hall of famer retiring his number.
We will all know for sure once Packers Training Camp begins in a couple of weeks.
Forget about the past? The past brought some great memories. The Vince Lombardi Trophy came back to Titletown (the real one, not that fake 'where is Titletown' on ESPN) and numerous division titles. The Packers became once again a force in the National Football League.
I say if Favre wants to return, let him. But don't make it easy on him. Favre should compete for the starter job with Aaron Rodgers and see who is truly the better of the two quarterbacks. Favre still has a lot in the tank and has at least one more MVP-like year in him. And, going back to the competing for the job. You know who would win the spot, the three-time MVP.
And, if this is all rumor, then it ends there. Favre will be coming back to Lambeau Field this year, either as a player or as a future hall of famer retiring his number.
We will all know for sure once Packers Training Camp begins in a couple of weeks.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
The CW made big Friday mistake
What's number one on television on Friday nights? What network is it on? What network is stupid enough to let this show go?
Answers: WWE Friday Night SmackDown, The CW and The CW
Apparently, SmackDown does not fit in with the image of the network as the network has said. So, it is willing to kill itself by losing the only show people watch on this network. The network confirmed that the CW had chosen not to continue the WWE broadcast because the network had redefined its target audience as exclusively 18- to 34-year-old women.
I see that CBS and Warner Bros. (the owners of The CW) do not pay attention to ratings. There is speculation in the industry (including a May 16, 2008 Wall Street Journal article) that the network could face a possible disbandment if its ratings do not improve.
Since June 29, 2007, WWE Friday Night SmackDown has dominated Friday nights. SmackDown helped The CW claim the top spot in the key demographic, Adults 18-49 for Friday. CBS got the overall lead but The CW got top spot for the Adults 18-49 by registering a 1.4 rating followed by CBS and NBC at 1.3, ABC at 1.2, and FOX at 0.9. Then on Friday, July 13, 2007, SmackDown made network history by placing first in the 18-49 demographic and becoming the most watched show at the 9 p.m. hour on network television. This is the first time anything has placed this well on The CW. SmackDown became a hit show on Friday nights winning the demographics for young males, and ranking second on the demographics (18-49) for Friday nights. (Source: Nielsen, Wikipedia)
So, The CW is fine with having the same fate as UPN. Wait, The CW is 50% UPN, no wonder they are making this mistake and the other half was the failing WB Network. As a reminder, UPN had higher ratings than the WB in the final year of the existance of those networks. I wonder why? Could it be that UPN had SmackDown?
Here is what The CW viewers have to look forward to this fall:
Sunday: In Harm's Way -- Surviving Suburbia -- Valentine, Inc. -- Easy Money
Monday: Gossip Girl -- One Tree Hill
Tuesday: 90210 -- Privileged
Wednesday: America's Next Top Model -- Stylista
Thursday: Smallville -- Supernatural
Friday: Everybody Hates Chris -- The Game -- America's Next Top Model
Saturday: CANCELED
What an amazing fall line-up. It is set up for failure. Good luck The CW.
Meanwile, MyNetworkTV may out-rate The CW with only one show next fall. And that is all this network has, one show. WWE Friday Night SmackDown will be more edgier (note the pun) than it was with no-fun The CW.
It's Time To Play The Game...TV that is changing Friday nights.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Terry Bradshaw Admits to Steroid Use in '70s
The NFL quarterback of the '70s Terry Bradshaw admitted yesterday to using steroids to get over injuries quicker. His whole Pittsburgh Steelers team did the same. This team won four Super Bowl Championships in the decade and was called "The Iron Curtain."
This is really nothing new. I bet most the professional athletes around the world, not just football, were using steroids.
Here is what Bradshaw said on the Dan Patrick Show:
“We did steroids to get away the aches and the speed of healing. My use of steroids from a doctor was to speed up injury, and thought nothing of it. … It was to speed up the healing process, that was it. It wasn’t to get bigger and stronger and faster.”
If this was the 21st century when this happened, I would be all upset, but this was the 1970s. But, we will know how the steroids affected this team and many others by what happened in their lives after football. So be sure to check if your favorite olde time player is still alive or is healthy.
I will still watch Bradshaw on Fox NFL Sunday.
This is really nothing new. I bet most the professional athletes around the world, not just football, were using steroids.
Here is what Bradshaw said on the Dan Patrick Show:
“We did steroids to get away the aches and the speed of healing. My use of steroids from a doctor was to speed up injury, and thought nothing of it. … It was to speed up the healing process, that was it. It wasn’t to get bigger and stronger and faster.”
If this was the 21st century when this happened, I would be all upset, but this was the 1970s. But, we will know how the steroids affected this team and many others by what happened in their lives after football. So be sure to check if your favorite olde time player is still alive or is healthy.
I will still watch Bradshaw on Fox NFL Sunday.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Is the NBA turning into the WWE?
Boom, Boom, Boom, Crackle, Crackle, Crackle, Boom! The athlete walks onto the scene. What sport is this? The WWE? The NBA? Both.
The NBA seems to be taking many ideas from the WWE. And they have good reason. The WWE has ratings that compare to the NFL and NASCAR. The WWE owns Monday and Friday nights with Raw and SmackDown. Each WWE Superstar has their own storyline, feud and entrance music with pyrotechnics. The NBA is copying. When teams are introduced to the fans, music is pumped throughout the arena and pyrotechnics go boom, boom throughout the arena.
And now with disgraced NBA referee Tim Donaghy saying that he was told by the league office to fix games to improve television ratings this is all coming full-circle. The NBA may be creating feuds, as does the WWE. The supposed script writers of the NBA's league offices are creating feuds that would normally not be there: Lakers vs. Suns, for instance. Or, referee Joe Crawford versus the Spurs. Could Crawford be getting told to make the calls he makes? Only he knows.
Now with NBA referees getting in the action with athletes this raises more questions. Referee Dick Bavetta ran with former player Charles Barkley at the NBA All-Star Game. And in the WWE, referee Charles Robinson was in the ring and lost to The Great Khali.
NBA and WWE referees all wear microphones to pick up sounds from the court or ring. Now NBA coaches wear microphones as well.
Bavetta was a fellow referee with Donaghy in the criticized 2002 NBA Western Conference Finals.
This all makes me wonder.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Another Championship in Boston
The Boston Celtics have won their 17th championship. Last year the Boston Red Sox won the World Series and may win again this year. The New England Patriots had a perfect season, but lost the Super Bowl. What is with this city's sports teams?
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