Bleacher Report - Articles by Caleb Lites

Who Says the Madden Curse Isn't Real?

Caleb Lites — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:08:43 -0400

An Itch to Play? Nope.

A Bruised Ego? Hardly..

An Early Retirement? Nada...

Do you wanna know the real reason for the drama that has hit Green Bay, WI?

Three Words for you, The Madden Curse.

When the talented people at EA decided to pick the player to grace the cover of Madden ‘09, they wanted someone special; a player who would live up to the excitement as gamers geared up for the 20th year of Madden gaming.

Someone RETIRED! Finally, the curse (whether they believe it or not, as it does exist) would end.

No longer would a player be cursed with an injury or poor performance like every year dating back to 1999 when Garrison Hearst became the first player to make a solo appearance on the cover (heck, even with Luis Castillo on the cover of the Spanish Madden 08, the curse lived on).

Surprise?!?! The Curse lives on...and the game isn't even out yet!

Even more ironic is the "Brett Favre Mode" on Madden ‘09 where you can play with Favre on any team...kinda like all the predictions on where the QB will be playing in the upcoming season.

While it seems the nightmare for the Packers has just begun, next time remember that just because a player is retired doesn't mean they are exempt from the Madden Curse.

Go Pack Go.

Pack's GM and Coach to Favre—No Release

Caleb Lites — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 07:16:43 -0400

It appears the drama in Green Bay will not be ending anytime soon.

In a statement released today, Packers' GM Ted Thompson and Coach Mike McCarthy told The Associated Press that the team has no intentions to release Brett Favre...but, he can comeback as a backup to Aaron Rodgers.

Thompson also said that he has not received any interest in a possible trade for the disgruntled quarterback, nor did he want to discuss a trade situation.

This information comes a day after Brett Favre's agent Bus Cook sent the Packers Favre's unconditional request to be released.

Don Who? A Case For Don Hutson

Caleb Lites — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 04:53:48 -0400

Before there were wide-receiver greats such as Randy Moss, Jerry Rice, and even Steve Largent, there was Don Hutson.

Before names such as Favre, Hornung, and Starr were heard throughout the hallowed halls of Lambeau Field, there was Don Hutson.

So why is it then that Hutson rarely gets the credit he deserves as one of the best players that ever played the game?

For some, it might be the fact that Hutson played in a pre-Super Bowl league, or even the fact that Hutson played almost 70-years ago when the Green and Gold was the...Blue and Gold?!?

Regardless of the reason, it is an unacceptable notion to forget the Father of the Modern WR. Aside from the numerous receiver routes that he created (and are still used by many players today), here is a quick look at some of his stats.

488 Receptions

7,991 Yards

(An astounding) 99 touchdowns

Hutson is also a member of the '30's All-Decade Team, NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team, a charter member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the Green Bay Packer Hall of Fame, and last but definitely not least, the eight NFL receiving records that Hutson still holds decades after he retired.

Damn. That's an impressive resume.

During a time when teams did not have an "air attack," Hutson tore apart defenses. In a league where teams played a maximum of 12 games a year, Hutson put up numbers that most receivers can only dream of getting in 16 games a year.

And if it is a versatile player that you're looking for, Hutson also played (successfully) safety, kicker, and punter.

I wish I had the time to exemplify the career of Hutson, but I can only hope that this article gives Hutson a partial piece of the credit he deserves.

So next time you discuss the greatest players in NFL history, don't be surprised to hear the name Don Hutson mentioned among the best the league has ever seen.

Go Pack Go.

Brett Favre's Got the Itch, But Do the Packers?

Caleb Lites — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:17:42 -0400

When I created my account here on Bleacher Report, I had not planned on writing any articles until the "official" (in my world, like many others, the football season is an endless cycle) start of the football season.

But after hearing the 4,444th report that Brett Favre wants to come back, I felt compelled to write something.

To this day, I still don't understand why I woke up so early that fateful Tuesday morning. Perhaps it was the freak snowstorm that left most of the state in a blanket of snow. On a normal day, I wouldn't get up until one in the afternoon. But on Mar. 4, 2008, I found myself wide-awake at seven o'clock in the morning.

As the current top-ranked player in the world in Quick Pick on NBA Live '08, I went about playing a few games to get the day started. During one however, I seemed to be off my game, and wary of pushing my luck while not playing well, I flipped my television over to ESPN.

Then, my world stopped.

Here we are, almost four months to the day from when Brett Favre hung up his cleats; yet it still seems as if a day cannot go by without another report that No. 4 is planning to make a comeback. I know I should treat today's report differently than the other ones that I simply blew off, but NFL "Packer" Live, with guest Al Harris, seemed to hit me hard.

He's got the itch. Brett wants to come back. At least that is what C-Mort would have us believe.

As a Packer fan, how do you respond to this?

It was just recently that I wore my Favre jersey for the first time since Mar. 4, and have been looking to find a Kampman or Jennings jersey to don during the 2009 campaign.

Today's developments have really thrown me into confusion. Would I want my favorite player of all-time to come back for another season?

In a heartbeat.

But do I want to go through another retirement of No. 4? Not particularly.

What seems to be almost as important is whether the Packers also have that same itch.

The future looks bright for Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers, just one offseason removed from the Favre era. The offense sounds like it will be geared up and ready to go under Rodgers' snap.

Will he lead the Packers to a Super Bowl in his first season?

The chances aren't high; still, he seems to be the player that everyone thought he was when San Francisco was on the clock.

To answer "A-Rod's" statement: I'm on board.

So, is it worth it to put the future of the franchise on the back burner if Favre wants to make a comeback?

Honestly, I don't know. In fact, I feel more confused than ever.

However, one thing is for certain: my back has itched all day, and I cannot stop the itch.

Go Pack Go.