Bleacher Report - Articles by Michael Priebe

Brett Favre and the Vikings Need to Tweak Their Identity Against 49ers

Michael Priebe — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:41:41 -0400

Have you ever done a double take upon spotting your fabled wandering twin?

According to urban myth, we all have a lost brother or sister-in-image roaming the earth at this very moment. Eerie run-ins with these passing self-likenesses do take place.

The spot resemblance could be in the hair, the style of dress, or a certain pose or mannerism. But these likenesses are only superficial.

On paper at this point in the 2009 NFL season, the Minnesota Vikings and San Francisco 49ers look strangely similar. Each team enters Week Three with a 2-0 record, and both teams have been mostly content to let their backfields and defenses dictate the game plan.

Even the quarterbacks have strikingly similar looks at this early point in the season.

Youngster Shaun Hill is only averaging 6.19 yards per passing attempt for 353 total yards with a single touchdown and zero interceptions. Living legend Brett Favre is averaging a slight 5.52 yards per passing attempt for 265 total yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.

However, just as no person is like their guise twin in character, the Vikings’ offense bears no true resemblance to the 49ers’ attacking forces.

Frank Gore must be reckoned with, but he is no Adrian Peterson. Hill has proved effective in the first two weeks of the season, but I don’t think the comparisons between him and Favre are coming quite yet.

Throughout the first two games of the season, both the 49ers and Vikings offenses have welcomed a ground-heavy style of football that has served its purpose in wins. Minnesota currently ranks second in League rushing and San Francisco ninth.

However, if the Vikings choose to again welcome this style of play in Week Three, they will set themselves up for the type of exhausting, play-from-behind battle they have had to survive against both the Browns and the Lions.

The most striking rogue resemblance between the Vikings and 49ers lies in their passing ranks. Minnesota ranks dead last in passing offense, and San Francisco is 30th.

After two games, the NFL’s most prolific passer—Brett Favre—has a total of just 265 passing yards to his name. However, Favre’s performance to this point in the season should be seen as an absolute success.

No. 4 has now officially proven he can do what so many thought him incapable of— successfully play the quarterback position as a “game manager.” He has impressed with his efficient short-yardage delivery of the ball to Vikings playmakers, and he has surprised by showing restraint and taking a sack when nothing is open downfield.

With a surrounding cast that includes Peterson, Percy Harvin, Chester Taylor, and Visanthe Shiancoe, there is certainly nothing wrong with a fairly steady diet of handoffs and short dump plays.

But every diet needs variety, and the Vikings need to deploy that variety as soon as possible to avoid predictability and an overwhelming amount of third-down situations.

So begin the calls for Brett Favre to air it out. These same urgings came out of New York early last year.

Jets media and fans alike wondered if Favre still had the gun to go downfield. They wondered if the head coach and offensive coordinator were shackling his slinging sensibilities. They wondered if Favre simply hadn’t had enough time with his wideouts to trust long passing routes.

The answers to these three questions are the same as they were last year: Yes, sort of, and yes.

Favre does still have the gun to rocket a ball downfield. Brad Childress and Darrell Bevell are employing some restraint because of Favre’s relative freshness with his new crew. And it is true that Favre has not been in enough situations with his receivers to feel assured everyone is on the same page when he tosses a long ball.

But the Vikings don’t need Favre to chuck the ball all over the field in order for the Vikings to establish themselves as a true, multi-dimensional offensive threat. They don’t even need Favre to attempt 40-plus throws a game. They just need to tweak the hows and whens of their passing game.

To be successful rather than pedestrian this season, the Vikings will need to commit to establishing the passing game just as they commit to establishing the running attack. That will require more passing calls on first down, a dose of throw routes longer than 10 yards, and a series of play-action calls with Peterson as the decoy.

A nice smattering of Favre’s trademark slants will also help the cause.

Starting with their San Francisco matchup, the Vikings need to prove their passing attack can be feared as much as Adrian Peterson. If not, Childress will not see the “kick ass” in his offense, and the Vikings will willingly throw themselves into games of mucky, trench warfare.

Favre’s Metrodome home opener seems as good a time as any to begin developing a fully staged offensive attack.

If the Vikings play the same game against the 49ers that they have against the Browns and Lions, they may still win, but it won’t be pretty—and it won’t begin to set the dominant identity they want for the rest of the season.

Brett Favre's Strong Character Bodes Well for Vikings

Michael Priebe — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 23:50:39 -0400

Let's be clear about this: There is no Brett Favre experiment going on in Minnesota. His positive effect on the team is a lock.

Let’s be clear about this: There is no lingering quarterback uncertainty in Minnesota because Tarvaris Jackson had a perfect passer rating in Week Two of preseason play and Sage Rosenfels has been spotted making some progress learning the Vikings' offense.

Favre simply exists on a different quarterbacking plane than those already present in Minnesota.

And to ESPN's Adam Schefter, let’s be clear about this: There is no more dissent in the Minnesota Vikings’ locker room than exists in any other of the 31 NFL locker rooms. Ask Jarred Allen.

Favre immediately makes the Minnesota Vikings' offense better. And it's not only because he is the most prolific passer in NFL history. The offensive success will come because Favre will show his new soldiers something they have never seen before—leadership.

Character is leadership, and Favre is as strong as they come.

Over the years, Favre's iron-man status has risen to mythical proportions. His will to play through physical, emotional, and mental trauma has him currently standing on a 269-game starting streak that might never be broken.

Unfortunately, a good portion of the sports media has taken their former golden child to the sacrificial altar during the past months. An inexplicable rash of fury towards Favre is running through the sports beat because its members weren't privy to his innermost thoughts in 2009.

Lately, some people find it popular to argue that Brett Favre has shown signs of "character weakness" since his departure from the Green Bay Packers. Ironically, that period of time has only demonstrated Favre’s strength of character—not a defect.

Retirement would have been the easy option for Favre in 2008, but he kept fighting.

The Packers' brass wanted Favre to be their legend—just not their starting quarterback. Rather than accepting the Packers' generous attempts to assist in preserving his legacy, Favre forged ahead.

The Packers offered their franchise face $25 million in bribe money to stay retired. However, Favre turned away from the Packers' tainted reasoning and followed through on a trade that exiled him to the ends of the football earth—the 4-12 New York Jets.

With no prep time, no knowledge of the Jets vertically-oriented offense, and a biceps muscle in his throwing arm that was shredding week after week, Favre led the team to an 8-3 start and a relevant status in the league.

If you were to believe most of what you read nowadays, the final five games for the Jets unearthed a previously hidden Favre.

He is suddenly a health liability, a giant of locker room division, and just plain unreliable.

The reality is that Favre has never met an injury he couldn't play through, he brings enthusiasm to every locker room he quarterbacks, and he will be the play-calling cornerstone the otherwise talented Vikings have not enjoyed in a long time.

Just like 2008, retirement would have been the easy option for Favre this year.

If Favre had decided not to play in 2009, that would have been a true sign his character has weakened.

If Favre did not come to Minnesota this year, that would have been an absolute verdict of weakness—a signal he was out of date, washed up, and scared to take on a challenge.

That would have been a clear piece of evidence that Favre craved popularity more than playing football.

That would have been a signal that the toughest quarterback to play the game decided he was going to go soft.

And that would have been a shame.

Instead, the 39-year-old Favre keeps fighting in 2009. This will be his 19th season in the NFL.

Vikings teammates and fans alike can take inspiration from that show of character.

Minnesota Vikings: Latest Report Raises Questions About a Brett Favre Signing

Michael Priebe — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 23:37:00 -0400

Sports Illustrated's Peter King wrote several weeks ago, "Brett Favre is controlled by emotion."

It seems that seven weeks after Favre's shoulder/biceps surgery, Brett may still have to get a little further in the process of convincing himself that all risks or playing this year are worth the potential payoff.

But that is only one explanation for why Favre and the Vikings haven't sealed their deal yet.

For Favre, the pros of the situation are near insurmountable.

The Vikings are a perfect fit for Favre, and he certainly knows that. As the quarterback said on "Joe Buck Live" a few weeks ago, (quarterbacking the Vikings) "just makes sense."

The West Coast offense run by the Vikings is something Favre knows like his children. Unlike Eric Mangini's offense in New York, this is something Favre can direct with audibles and improvisation—exactly the recipe ripe for Favre conducting his legendary two-minute drives.

Just as important, Favre likes people he knows and trusts—and he has good history with both Vikings head coach Brad Childress and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell.

Childress learned the West Coast offense in Philadelphia, under Favre's mentor Mike Holmgren and Bill Walsh.

Bevell, a former collegiate starting quarterback for the University of Wisconsin, led the Badgers to a Rose Bowl victory in 1993 with Childress as his coach.

After college, Bevell went into coaching, eventually becoming Favre's quarterback coach in Green Bay. The friendship between Favre and Bevell remains close to this day. Their documented friendship even saved the Vikings from being found guilty of tampering charges for communicating with Favre before his trade to the Jets last year.

The Minnesota Vikings are stacked with talent.

No doubt Favre is salivating at the chance to be protected by an imposing offensive line, backed by a solid defense and be in play-making cahoots with Adrian Peterson.

There is no question about it. Favre wants in on the Minnesota Vikings 2009 season.

The question now is: why does Favre still need until "right before training camp," to decide if he is physically capable of playing?

That latest statement comes in the aftermath of Favre working out for Bevell in Mississippi last Wednesday. He threw a good deal, but reportedly experienced "slight pain and throwing inconsistencies."

Everyone knew that Viking's head trainer Eric Sugerman was visiting Favre last week, but Bevell's presence wasn't relayed until four days later, via ESPN late Sunday night. That is a full four days after Favre's performance for Bevell.

Everyone following the Vikings expected Favre to sign toward the end of this week, right before single-game tickets go on sale to the public next Monday, July 20.

The Vikings owners would no doubt like to see Favre holding up a Purple No. 4 Jersey before this magical date.

Even reports from those who have spoken to Favre indicate he is "itching" to get into camp on July 31st.

Back to the question: "Why is the signing not happening this week?"

I would like to present three possible answers to the above quandary, all of them—by this point in the crazy Favre/Vikings saga—equally plausible.

Explanation Number One: Favre Is Still Spooked by What Happened at the End of Last Year.

He lost control of his throwing dimensions and couldn't do a thing about it.

As the New York press so aggressively detailed at the end of last football season, Favre's final five games last year were an utter disappointment. Don't think for a second that going from 8-3 to missing the playoffs last year stings Favre.

He's had his surgery, but in addition to the biceps tear that was operated on, at 469 consecutive stars and over 9,000 career passing attempts, Favre may have other concerns about his throwing arm. Repeating the same shoulder motions over and over can bring on tendonitis, shoulder impingement, specific rotator cuff injuries and deterioration of cartilage that cushions the shoulder joints.

Losing control of his weapon last year at the end of the Jet's season was something that very well could still be haunting Favre—even if actual recovery from Dr. James Andrew's work this year is coming along rather nicely.

If Favre is coming home to the NFC North, he's not coming to look mediocre.

And he's definitely not looking to return Kerry Collins-style—the term "game manager" is something that doesn't even register with Favre.

However, even though Favre may still be concerned about his throwing arm, the Minnesota Vikings don't seem to be. Brad Childress flippantly said weeks ago that Favre's arm is healthy, adding that perhaps it just doesn't have its stamina back to par yet.

Perhaps more importantly, Sugerman saw Favre last week, and since then an unnamed Vikings source called Favre’s shoulder surgery a "complete success."

Favre himself said his recent throwing session for Bevell was encouraging.

Explanation Number Two: Contract Negotiations are Finally Taking Place.

Despite almost month-old reports that Favre and the Vikings may already have a clandestine contract in place, that is unlikely to be the case.

This is where Brett Favre exits from the process and his agent Bus Cook starts working. Media reports have assumed that Favre’s contract is guaranteed to have few guarantees—maybe as few as $5 to $6 million.

Heavy incentives have been rumored to be embedded in Favre’s unseen contract. However, it might not matter how heavy the incentives are in this particular case. Favre doesn’t need incentives to reach goals.

However, he does need a certain amount of guaranteed money—the same as any other top player in the game. Favre believes that if he is healthy, he can still play at an MVP level.

He was scheduled to make $13 million with the Jets this year, and taking a dramatic pay cut could make it look like he is unsure of himself or his worth.

Favre does not care about a couple of million extra dollars at this point in his life, but he can't take a contract constructed as if he were a third-year player up for renewal. That makes it look like the team has a pedestrian level of interest in a player.

Favre is accustomed to an organization putting total confidence in him.

Explanation Number Three: The Vikings Want Time to Ready a QB Trade

The idea that a team might keep four quarterbacks on its roster is ridiculous. If Favre comes, somebody has to go.

Favre is going to need John David Booty's No. 4 jersey, but the Vikings don't need to let him go. Booty is a low-premium insurance policy—a body available if there the unthinkable happens. The team probably isn't pondering the unthinkable.

Sage Rosenfels hopes to compete for the starting job this year. He's a dynamic career backup who has led some impressive come-from-behind drives. He is signed for two years and $9 million so, despite holding an all-too-familiar clipboard again, Rosenfels and the Vikings can both feel good about the situation.

NFL Network's Michael Lombardi said he's "been hearing talk" that Tavaris Jackson may demand a trade if Favre signs.

Jackson is heading into the final year of his rookie contract and is not exactly coming off a breakout season. He would need this year to prove himself to solidify his position in Minnesota.

However, if Jackson is content backing up Favre, he could stay with the Vikings as a potential future starter if his man Childress stays—Favre winning with the Vikings could extend both of their careers.

Bottom Line: There is Just Too Much Smoke that Points to the Fire

Favre requesting his release from the New York Jets, having surgery, doing the rehab work, getting visits from Vikings head trainer and offensive coordinator, putting down $30,000 on a condo near the Vikings training facility: everything points to an inevitable union between Brett and the Horn-Heads.

Why hasn't it happened already?

I believe Favre's opinion on his arm, the Vikings quarterback situation and contract negotiations are all to blame. Time is needed for all of them to progress.

But if Favre convinces himself he's ready to play in 2009, the other tangents will take care of themselves.

Contract signed and delivered by training camp.

The NBA's All-White Team: Our Favorite Icons of Pale

Michael Priebe — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:06:23 -0400

American-born whites are an increasingly endagered species in the National Basketball Association. This group of fair-skinned ballers comprise an approximate 11 percent of NBA rosters. Just under eight percent of NBA starters are white, a white player has not started in an NBA All-Star game for a dozen years and only two whites have won the NBA's Most Valuable Player award during the past 35 years. Over the years, white players in the NBA have become more caricature than contender, more team mascot than muscle. This is not to say that there are not talented white players, both past and present, who have the skills to play damn good basketball in the NBA. However, the purpose of this slideshow is to showcase those players that have come to define "whiteness" in the minds of NBA fans. Enjoy this stroll down Alabaster Avenue, and try not to get offended or snowblinded.

Begin Slideshow

Tyler Hansbrough: On the Sure Path to NBA Mediocrity

Michael Priebe — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 16:50:36 -0400

Tyler Hansbrough is a great kid. He’s got great heart and hustle. He epitomizes the idea of a true student-athlete.

You may have heard NCAA coaches, players, fans, sportswriters, commentators, and even professional basketball scouts voice some version of the above comments when asked about Hansbrough.

Unfortunately, being a “great kid” doesn’t mean you will be a great NBA basketball player—or even an above-average contributor.

There is no doubt Hansbrough has enjoyed a phenomenal run in collegiate basketball.

He is the leading scorer and rebounder in the history of the University of North Carolina’s storied program, he is the only player in Atlantic Coast Conference history to be named a unanimous first-team All-ACC pick four times, and he has made more free throws than any single player in NCAA history.

In addition to racking up a walk-in closet full of collegiate athletic awards, Hansbrough also stayed the course through college.

He remained at UNC for the full four years and will graduate with a degree in Communications.

Summed up, Hansbrough has the dubious résumé of someone destined to become extremely pedestrian at the next level.

He has built his reputation as a UNC Tar Heel and all-around staple of collegiate basketball. Unfortunately for him, he will always be remembered as only that—a great college basketball player.

To borrow an adjective from Red (Morgan Freeman’s character) in “The Shawshank Redemption,” Hansbrough is "institutionalized." He only knows college basketball, and I believe that is all he wants to know.

At UNC, Hansbrough is certainly the big man on campus. And I’m sure he revels in all the perks that status awards him.

In fact, college life suits Hansbrough so well, he has enjoyed it (as previously stated) for four years.

Now, it is possible Hansbrough simply celebrates academia and decided to finish the pursuit of his degree because he has an insatiable lust to someday tackle the great, unsolved puzzles that await him in the Communications field.

(By the way, while reading the short biographies given on players when they are at the free-throw line, have you noticed that approximately three-quarters of NCAA basketball players major in Communications? This unverified statistic is just a side note and doesn’t rule out the possibility that Hansbrough’s want of a degree played a factor in his decision to stay at UNC for four years.)

However, I think the more likely scenario is that Hansbrough is reluctant to leave his collegiate comfort zone.

On the hardwood floors of the NCAA, Hansbrough can put up impressive numbers and hear the deafening UNC cheers reserved just for him. He is in his element.

He is Psycho T!

However, Psycho T will cease to exist when the Cinderella world of college basketball strikes midnight and NBA physicality becomes Hansbrough’s reality.

The physical parity between Hansbrough and players who have true NBA physique and grit has become obvious during the course of this year’s NCAA tournament.

I would like to submit as evidence the specimens presented in Pittsburgh’s DeJuan Blair and Oklahoma’s Blake Griffin. These guys are college Sophomores who simply have no more business playing at the collegiate level.

The sheer monstrosity of their frames and thunder of their killer instincts make Hansbrough look juvenile.

In the NBA, Hansbrough will get confused and abused as his collegiate passion fades to professional frustration.

One NBA scout in attendance for the Elite Eight had this to say about Hansbrough and Griffin when talking to ESPN’s Steven A. Smith earlier in the week:

"Tyler Hansbrough is a very good player with a place for him on the next level. He's simply too good a kid, too productive, and too hard a worker not to be picked somewhere in the top 15.

But Blake Griffin is just special. They shouldn't be mentioned in the same sentence."

Amen.

There are college athletes with the potential to rise, shine, and dominate at the professional level, and then there are the Tyler Hansbroughs of the game—players who will soon find that their best days were left on campus.

So, enjoy another game or two as Psycho T, Tyler—because your next moniker will be journeyman or role player.

Brett Favre Can Steer Jets to Elite Status with Win over Titans

Michael Priebe — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 09:12:34 -0500

It's week 12 of the NFL season and the New York Jets are on the brink of "finding themselves."

This year’s New York Jets are the Ellis Island of the NFL, welcoming players of all ages and circumstances, from lands far and wide.

Veterans with Super Bowl experience followed the path to Lady Liberty.

Offensive lineman Alan Faneca traveled from Pittsburgh, defensive tackle Kris Jenkins trekked from Carolina, and a quarterback by the name of Brett Favre made his treacherous voyage all the way from a small, beer-and-cheese land named Green Bay.

Then there are hungry youngsters like wide receiver Chanci Stuckey, tight end Dustin Keller, and cornerback Darrelle Revis.

As of last week, the Jets even approved a last-minute visa for legendary cornerback Ty Law—a battlefield veteran not ready to give up fighting.

Since the hazy days of the preseason, the Jets have worked to build an identity.

Alliances have been forged, roles have been found, plays have been vetted through trial and error, and an uncanny cohesiveness has begun to show itself. Yes, the Jets are beginning to cut quite a figure.

Since the season's beginning, Favre has alluded to the Jets' capability to become a fluid, high-powered offensive machine. (This reminds me of how he talked about the Packers' breadth and depth of talent last year.)

Favre has seen a lot of personnel changes around him during his NFL tenure, and there is definitely something he likes about the chemistry and potential explosiveness of his teammates in New York this year.

The Jets have stalwart lines on both sides of the ball. The necessary offensive weapons are there as well—Leon Washington, Lavernanues Coles, Jerricho Cotchery, Dustin Keller, Chansi Stuckey, and Thomas Jones to name the regulars.

Last Thursday's win over the New England Patriots was fantastic for the morale of the Jets, and it also happened to give them the current lead in the talented AFC East.

This week, when they visit the Tennessee Titans, Favre has an opportunity to navigate his bunch to the league's next tier—The Elite.

After the Jets' victories this year, Favre has talked about when his gifted team might "turn that corner," referring to when the gang will run on all cylinders at once, reach their potential, and enter the realm of the NFL's elite.

A victory in Tennessee this weekend would mean that corner has been turned.

But only Favre, with a mix of steady vision and burning passion, can navigate his crew to a land of greater opportunity. His body will have to slip around the pocket and his eyes will have to stay down-field.

Thomas Jones will be a target of the Titans' physical run-stop defense, but Brett can find the seams and creases in Tennessee's defense.

Favre is a leader, and the Gang of Green needs him to lead the march on Sunday.

The Addictive Dangers of Sport

Michael Priebe — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 09:32:16 -0400

Maniacal, obsessive, restless, and addictive: these are the trappings of the mind of a true sports fan. We are always looking for the next score. It is a never ending hunt to spike up.

Sportscenter in the morning, trolling through the latest sport product on the Internet first thing upon waking—the cravings begin with the dawn.

As I wade through another work week, my mind goes no longer than five or ten minutes without an invasive sports thought creeping in.

When I'm driving the hour commute to and from work and then pretending to listen to a co-worker discuss a really exciting data-collection project, my head is filled with the inner dialogue of a man addicted. It's a cacophony of past and future contests, random stats and speculation—and it blocks everything else out.

My boss is hyped up on gourmet mud and talking about three-year unit and departmental plans. My head is unfocused, pounding with craving.

I wish round three of the NCAA tourney would start already. Will Tiger win at Augusta, or will a camera flash on his back swing break his conditioned mind? Is my NFL team going to get enough prime-time slots when the schedule comes out for the fall?

Boy, Phil Michelson has one hot wife.

I wish I were out grilling and drinking beer at a Brewers game right now. Monday nights suck after football season ends.

Who's going to end up in the final four? Does Floyd Mayweather really carry that much cash on him all the time?

Why the hell couldn't Brett Favre have stuck around one more year...for me?

Most importantly, how many hours until the next event?

We can become junkies when we inject sports into our lives. The temporary thrills are never enough!

A predictable cycle plays on us superfans every year.

The Super Bowl is over. Okay, I can watch free agency unfold as I wait for the draft, which will give me a reason to watch the newbies in preseason until that first, magical weekend of NFL football, when every team is undefeated. That first game of the season is like salve to a burning wound—euphoric.

Then college football rolls around, bringing with it an excuse to take every Saturday to the next social level. Never a dull moment there. And the New Year will never be a bust, because so many dimebags of bowl fare lay in wait to comfort a hangover.

Once college and professional basketball lift onto the scene, there is never a dull weekday evening. A small prize awaits the end of each workday in the form of a game I will watch whether it is primo or chopped-to-the-hilt crap.

Come spring, baseball is a surefire buzz—the sheer number of games played guarantees that. And if your boys are in the pennant race, game on!

My point is this: Every sports fan has his or her alma mater, his or her home teams, and his or her favorite athletes. We all want to feel the ecstasy of a championship.

However, every fan is ultimately looking to get doped; looking for an escape from the mundane; looking for an instant and easy fix. Before the pleasure of a victorious game or season even wears off, we are already in search of the next high.

Our product is always available, because when one sport ends, another begins.

So, a gentle warning to all my fellow sports fans: enjoy in moderation.

Spend more Sunday afternoons with family and friends than you do with Bill Belachick. Get more excited about your own personal successes than those of your favorite teams. Worry more about your own health than that of your quarterback. And for the love of Mike, get more involved in the lives of people who actually know your name.

Otherwise, at some point, you will feel empty. Even if your team does go all the way, the euphoria will be hard to find twice.

Don't let the sports control your body, mind, and social life until everything else fades into the background

This is not an intervention, and not a call to quit. These are just my humble words of experience offered to keep us all balanced.

By the way, could the third and fourth rounds of the NCAA tourney go ahead and start already? The wait is unbearable. But that's okay. I can always start drawing up my fantasy teams for 2008.

Why Grown Men Cry: The Brett Favre Press Conference

Michael Priebe — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 04:55:34 -0400

In the wake of a media frenzy following Brett Favre's sort-of-leaked retirement decision, the man himself flew to Green Bay last Thursday to publicly lay his football career to rest.

True to character, Favre took the stage as himself—no frills, no suit, no clean shave, and no prepared statement.

As a bearded Favre walked to the podium in blue jeans and an untucked button-down, no doubt there was still a sliver of hope among fans—and perhaps within Favre himself—that this was somehow not really the end.

Favre sat down and tried to confidently deliver his first words, as if he could actually do so with any sort of nonchalance.

"Well, I think we all know why I'm here," Favre said hurriedly. "First of all, sorry I'm late. But I am in fact retiring from the NFL and the Green Bay Packers."

Then, for the next 10 minutes, the iron man of Green Bay had trouble speaking. He sobbed and choked on his words. He shook his head and buried his face in his hands.

"It was never about the money, or fame, or records," he sputtered through snot and sighs.

And so began Favre's emotional confession that he couldn't give anything more to the game.

He wanted to keep playing, and he certainly felt the pressure to keep going—from fans and from himself—but a change had been brewing inside of him for years, and had finally came to a head this past season.

The change was there to be seen throughout 2007. Discriminating fans who watched the QB's postgame press conferences noted that he adopted a cautious tone about success, as if making a preemptive strike against the terror of defeat.

The legend was finally feeling his years, not so much physically as mentally. If age really is a state of mind, it appears Favre has indeed gotten old.

Attempting to explain the subtle but damaging transformation in his attitude, Favre said, "After numerous games I would come home and after a couple of hours I had the computer out and I was watching film of the upcoming opponent instead of enjoying the win we just had. At some point, you've got to relax and enjoy and I found myself not enjoying it as much. It's fun to win but you've got to enjoy it and relax a little bit. That more than anything was taking its toll on me."

And there you have it. The celebrated flame of youthful exuberance—the trait his fans loved him for—had been extinguished.

That's why Brett Favre cried as he tried to explain—to himself as much as to his fans—why he wasn't coming back. He felt the core of his personality being whittled away by the pressure to live up to extraordinary expectations—and it wasn't a comfortable feeling.

"I could probably come back and do it, suck it up, but what kind of a toll would that take on me, my family or my teammates?" he said. "At some point it would affect one of those, if not all of them. Maybe it has already."

That's the root of the sense of loss that comes with Favre's retirement: the knowledge that the ultimate fan favorite could no longer stay young and boisterous in the face of pressure, personal tragedy, injury, defeat, and anything else life threw at him.

Being a sports fan means living vicariously through the athletes we admire. And Favre's fans wanted to believe in the undaunted No. 4. They took hope from him—not the hope of fortune or fame, but the hope of survival, the hope that it's possible to fight through criticism and adversity with unwavering resolve.

Favre knew that spontaneity, not tedious preparation, was what really kept him going for 17 years.

"As I've heard, that the way he's played the game, with as much fun as he's had, is all important and I agree with that," he said. "It's a game and I played it spontaneously, nothing was ever choreographed. And I've always said this: The money they pay is icing on the cake. It had no bearing on the way I played. I played the game regardless a certain way. And I hope that's what people appreciate about me."

That is certainly what fans appreciate about Favre. And that's why more than a smattering of grown men and women shed at least an inward tear during Favre's press conference.

If Brett Favre can get old, then anyone can get old. If Brett Favre admits he can't handle the pressure of being himself, who among his fans can do any better?

But along with the fears and tears of Favre's retirement press conference, there's also a sense of closure, and the promise of a new dawn.

Favre felt the winds of change within himself this past season. His retirement is not a surrender to mounting pressure or a resignation to apprehension or defeat—he's simply moving on before something steals his soul.

That's what fans can learn from his decision to retire: There's nothing more important than remaining true to yourself.

You have to live life a certain way—your own way. Sometimes you have to take seemingly drastic measures to keep yourself intact. That's what Favre really told his fans last week.

And that's why there is no need for anyone who truly admired Favre to shed a tear.

A Legend Lost: Brett Favre Decides to Retire

Michael Priebe — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 02:02:22 -0500

The heart and soul of Green Bay Packers' football, iconic quarterback Brett Favre, has decided to retire. After several years of toying with the idea of trying life after football, it looks like Favre's post-NFL life has already begun.

The news was first reported by FoxNews.com on Tuesday morning, and Favre's longtime agent, Bus Cook, has now confirmed the announcement.

The QB reportedly informed Mike McCarthy of his decision on Monday night.

This decision has truly stunned and saddened Packers' fans and Favre followers everywhere. For nearly two decades there has been no such thing as Packer football without Favre leading the charge. Now he is gone, and Wisconsin is not sure how their team will go on.

Brett, may you enjoy retirement. You have certainly earned it.

All the same, we don't know what we will do without you.

Brett Favre Retirement Talk Gets Even More Confusing

Michael Priebe — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 02:39:57 -0500

For a few brief moments on Thursday, the official Green Bay Packers’ website announced that Brett Favre had decided to retire.

The organization quickly removed the page from its site, saying it was a "dummy page" to be posted in the event that Favre does make this choice.

With regard to the Favre question (and there's only one), here are this week's words from new Green Bay Packer President Mark Murphy.

"My guess is that he's going to come back," Murphy said Wednesday at a Milwaukee Press Club luncheon. "The team has gotten better around him and is in a position to really do great things next year."

Favre himself is still mostly silent on the issue, but he has promised to make a decision more quickly than in previous years. He knows Packer Fans are waiting.

At a January 18th, pre-NFC championship game press conference, Favre asked, "When will they (Packers fans) say it's time to give it up? 4-12, they said, you've got to come back. 13-3, you've got to come back.

“And that's a good thing. It is. All those factors go into my decision-making. But I don't think that's ever really going to stop. I mean, I can't see people saying, okay, now you can go.

“We win the Super Bowl, everyone says, you've got to come back, man, you guys have another chance. You lose it, they say, you've got to come back. So you know, regardless, I think that's going to be the case.”

So clearly Favre feels that a whole lot of people are expecting him to return. But what else is he thinking about?

Regarding “The Question,” he is torn between two considerations:

1. The real, physiological need to feel the pleasure and adrenaline he gets from the competition of professional football.

2. The worry that continued play will bring added strain to every day of his life.

No matter how he might try to downplay the emotional concerns that will inevitably factor into his decision, one thing’s for sure: age hasn't cooled his desire to compete. Favre wants to return and he wants to be playing the game—not watching it.

On the flip side, Favre feels guilty for giving so much of himself to football and worries that he has neglected his wife and daughters. In addition, he has survived 275 starts without major injury. The future of that fortune is uncertain if he continues with the Packers.

In order for Favre to make the decision to return, he will have to reconcile the concerns of family and fans. Then he will be free to make his decision - and I think he wants to play a little more.

Michigan's Fab Five Revisited: An Undying Legacy

Michael Priebe — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 03:48:20 -0500

As a kid growing up playing basketball, watching basketball, and worshiping basketball, there was nothing more majestic than the University of Michigan's Fab Five. They were the essence of cool.

As they flew up and down the court in black shoes and socks, their billowing shorts whipping in a fury, they were the definition of young brashness and mad talent.

Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, Jimmy King, and Ray Jackson were the heroes of a generation. And no matter how many people consider their reign in college hoops to be tainted, they will always be the heroes of my generation.

During my heyday of high school basketball, my team wore the black socks, clapped on the way into the gym, and ended huddles by yelling "Let your nuts hang."

By the way, this was a parochial high school, and not everyone understood the attitude our all-white team suddenly brought to the court.

But we nailed three balls, ally-ooped fast break dunks, and won a lot of games. It was a young, exhilarating time of my life. And Michigan's youngsters had a lot to do with that.

I would guess that the 1992 and '93 seasons were some of the best years of life for the members of the Fab Five as well. It was before the reality of basketball as an injury-riddled job set in—and before the sting of scandal hit the fan.

But before we talk about the ills of the Michigan basketball program, let's have a moment of remembrance for the supermachine that was five freshman starting for Michigan and leading them to consecutive NCAA finals. The Fabulous Freshman won a total of 56 games in their two seasons together, and they gave us some of the most memorable finals games in recent history.

The loss to Duke in '92 is the most watched game in college basketball history (21 million homes), and the following year's game against North Carolina is second on that list (20.7 million homes).

I know I was watching every millisecond of those games, and while the Duke game took months to get over, the loss to North Carolina per Chris Webber's nonexistent timeout hurt worse than anything I had known in life up to that point.

Then Webber went pro, a year later Howard and Rose followed suit, and a year after that the core's remaining two were done with college eligibility. It was the end of an era.

And, unfortunately, the beginning of a much, much worse time for the Michigan basketball program.

I remember meeting Chris Webber briefly several days before he was drafted by the Warriors. A friend and I were attending basketball camp at the University of Michigan when we happened to spot him outside of Crisler Arena. He was amicable enough and stopped for a couple of photos. Then Web spoke to the entire gathering of basketball campers a day or two later; one of whom was Maurice Taylor.

The moment Webber finished speaking, he exited the gym with a couple of the coaches—and Maurice followed right behind.

I was walking to the dorms when I saw Maurice arrive at camp a couple of days late (he had just come from a Georgia Tech camp). The coaches or assistants or some staffers drove him to the front of the student housing and and unloaded his luggage for him.

At the time, I didn't know who Maurice Taylor was, but one could reasonably guess he wasn't your average camper. As time went, I found out who he was; and as I played with Maurice in league games and walked to and from the dorm with him, I also found out he was a nice guy.

When I later saw how tight Maurice was with Webber, I didn't know there was a more sinister connection between the two than simply growing up in the same neighborhood: They were both on the list of those who had taken money from shady Michigan booster Ed Martin.

As it turns out, Webber was already getting money in the eighth grade for shit's sake!

Anyway, Maurice Taylor wasn't part of the Fab Five, and most of the original Five weren't on Martin's payroll, but their once-in-a-lifetime accomplishments have been robbed from them. The final four banners no longer hang in the magical Mecca of Crisler arena, and the Wolverines have an official record of 0-70 for the two seasons when these phenomenal youngsters set the world of college basketball on fire.

Three of the five moved on to successful NBA careers, and two continued playing in minor leagues and overseas. You can now catch Jalen on sports talk shows, and you can watch an aging Webber back where he first started in the NBA (another story is needed for that one).

But nothing in the lives of these five will ever compare to the joy-ride of truly shocking the college basketball world with their youthful exuberance, talent, and bravado.

Despite any turmoil off the court, the Fab Five are still my basketball heroes.

NFL Draft: Football Season Isn't Over

Michael Priebe — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 16:58:21 -0500

Although the excitement of weekly battles and the climax of the big game have passed for the 2007 NFL season, football season is just beginning...for 2008 that is. This is a time of scouting combines, draft-day deal scenarios, franchise tagging, and free agency browsing.

Every scrutinizing fan is able to follow the guarded intentions of their team's owners, GM's, and coaches.

And if one watches closely enough and does the research, a super fan can dissect every piece of the puzzle being fitted for next year's run at glory. That is almost as exciting as the first week of official kickoff.

Changes will happen at a blistering pace for offenses, defenses, special teams, and coaching staffs.

Needs have been identified (not always by the greatest formula), but the actual moves that will make the headlines are yet to come.

The NFL offtime is a game in and of itself. It is a time when true fans can play decision-maker, with the ability to hopefully, triumphently say, "I told you so," when a predicted offseason move pays dividends.

So, for those of you who love the NFL as much as I do, don't fret over the off-season layover.

Your playoff team is being assembled as we read this article - just make sure to pay attention. You don't want to miss your chance to build the perfect team through the perfect moves. Whether or not your desired pieces of a team's puzzle untimately fall into place, you don't want to miss that magical chance to say "I told you so," during the season.

Brett Favre Sweeps Wisconsin Primary

Michael Priebe — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 15:14:35 -0500

Last night, Wisconsin set a state record for primary voter turnout. And as the nation's media turned its eyes to the Badger State, the talking heads had one name on their tongues: Brett Favre.

Favre not only crossed party lines in a way never before seen, but he won handily with every demographic: the elderly, the young, married women, single women, married men, single men, blacks, whites, Hispanics, the middle class, the underclass, the upper class, college-educated, elementary-school educated, sobers and imbibers.

For the 2008 NFL season, Wisconsinites are overwhelmingly looking for Favre to retain the helm the state's fabled Green Bay Packers. Exit polls showed that this opinion is ironically based on both Favre's nearly two decades of NFL insider experience and his ability to bring change to a younger generation.

"Yes we can!" Packer nation is crying out, while at the same time touting Favre's experience and long position as an NFL insider.

Standard voting divisions did not apply in Wisconsin's decision to bring Favre back for another term. Favre's ability to bridge every traditional voting gap in Wisconsin is unprecedented; look for Pack Nation scattered throughout the remaining states to carry this tidal wave of anomaly.

Other votes: Aaron Rodgers, 6 percent; Craig Nall, 1 percent; Draft/Trade Write-ins, 1 percent

Who's Smug in Sports? Tiger Woods and Phil Jackson, but Commentators Top List

Michael Priebe — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 03:59:24 -0500

Smug is defined as being highly self-satisfied. But there are a cluster of prickly symptoms leading to this diagnosis—most noticeably the ability to annoy others like a burning affliction of hemorrhoids.

There are plenty of cocky people in the world of sports: Terrell Owen, Allen Iverson, Kobe Bryant, former coach Bob Knight.

However, cocky carries more mild connotations than smug, and cocky does not grate a sporting fan's patience like smugness. Cocky can be blown off fairly easily—it is dismissible, like a drunk's rosy-cheeked opining at a bar.

Smugness, however, festers in the psyche of those who witness it until a boiling point is reached. A smug individual in the world of sports is one who others would love to crack across the face—if they could only reach through their television sets. Or maybe something can be done in person.

Now, here is a list of the sports personalities who are most in need of getting slapped around.

1. Bob Costas reigns atop the mountain of smug.

He is smug like no other. He is the John Edwards of broadcasting (both the feathered hair and the narcissism contribute to this comparison.) His relentless affinity for bringing historical, literary, and pop-culture analogies into the world of sports is only rivaled by his penchant for spewing obscure vocabulary that impresses himself and hopefully condescends/confuses others at the same time.

Unfortunately, even if a petition signed by millions of Costas-haters led to his complete departure from major sports commentary, I don't think it would phase Bobby C. in the least.

He would laugh off the dismissal while enjoying wine, conversation ... and maybe more ...with just himself in front of a three-sided mirror, finally surrounded by only his closest friends. Then he would eventually begin rebuilding with a cable access show where he shines as the smuggest high school sports commentator this country has ever known.

A sports fan's best plan of action: track him down in the streets and deliver repeated cracks to the side of his plastic face.

2. Bryant Gumbel comes in at a close number two on this list.

He has been irritating sports fans on-and-off for over two decades.

I would vote Gumbel the sporting personality least likely to be invited to a Super Bowl party. Nipping on his eyeglasses, trying to look pensive, Gumbel would take one look at the food and drink spread and quickly begin to tell you how he would have laid out the whole thing in a more palatable and visually pleasing fashion.

Bryant Gumbel does resemble Bob Costas in his projection of an omniscient aura, his affection for Roget (the thesaurus guy), and his race—or wait a minute, that's not right, Bob Costas is black.

But where Costas pounds you in the face with relentless gregariousness, Gumbel is content to let pursed lips, a wrinkled forehead, and squinted eyes tell you he is superior to his guests and his audience.

Even worse, Gumbel is no longer confined to "Real Sports," but suddenly thrust into play-by-play on the NFL network. Remember when he called Tony Romo, Rick Romo? Remember when he called Frank Gore, Al Gore? I'm sure the smug tissue comprising his brain blocks these slips from Gumbel's memory.

But we, the sports fans, remember, because we just can't stand the guy. Somebody please get Bryant Gumbel away from my NFL and away from my television.

A sports fan's best plan of action: don't worry about it. I will personally take care of Gumbel's well deserved beat-down. And I'll get creative—his intellect should appreciate that.

3. Phil Jackson is smug in the manner of spiritual guru Deepak Chopra.

Jackson the Zen Master sees himself as the Great Uniter, able to bring barbaric egos into a cohesive drum circle of his higher leading. He urges his players to meditate and seek the same sort of enlightenment he has supposedly found in a psuedo-Bhuddist mentality. He sees himself as able to transcend any spiritual or physical plane that limits the mere mortals he is charged with coaching.

Coach Jackson's credentials and career success record cannot be challenged—but I know there are people in addition to myself who would like to challenge his lanky posturing and Bodhisvatta smugness to a brawl.

A sports fan's best plan of action: wait for his inevitable drop in bone density to set in and twirl him around a barroom by his tentacles. But watch out, he's still got a reach advantage on most of us.

4. Tiger Woods: I won't deny that he makes golf fun to watch in a way never before possible.

However, I will also not deny that he is one smug S.O.B. He is smug in the way a robotic machine is smug—no room for error per the program tediously written for his success over the decades. A third or even second-place finish does not compute and has been known to leave a human-like sour puss on his face.

When talking abou a 12-stroke victory to the press, Tiger might say something like, "I expected that sort of lead by the beginning of Sunday, but I was actually shooting for a 20+ margin by the end. Unfortunately, there were some unusual wind burns on the Creeping Red Rescue grass on the back nine." Then he opens up a big, self-impressed grin that makes you believe he isn't joking.

Then, before going to kiss his 200-pound trophy one more time, he beckons caddie Steve Williams to bring his bag back over to him, proceeding to juggle 12 golf balls using a nine-iron in one hand and a putter in the other.

That's smug.

A sports fan's best plan of action: stake out a position near one of the walkways between holes at Tiger's next tournament. Then whack him in the nuts with an iron of your choosing.

Now I know there are smug names not included in this list. Please let me know those I have neglected and the people in sports you would most like to crack.

Gut Instinct: A Few NFL Predictions for 2008

Michael Priebe — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 17:54:42 -0500

Call these predictions or call them a personal list of overt and/or deeply-hidden wishes. It doesn't matter; watch for these 2008 outcomes during next season.

1. The Giants win their division and Dallas is a wild-card.

Dallas has plenty of motivation to give them steam and focus throughout next season. However, poisoned spirit can drip from the top down, and when the organization is chartered by the likes of Jerry Jones, talent can mean nothing.

The Giants have more heart than the Cowboys and just as much talent. Nevertheless, that passion will have to beat steady for New York with a hunger brand new in 2008.

2. If Brett Favre comes back, the Packers are the NFC's number one seed going into the playoffs.

Mike McCarthy really proved he had brass pigskins this season. To lead his team all the way, his work ethic will have to be augmented by an open mind when change on either side of the ball is advantageous.

He will no doubt work the hell out of a talented team to build fundamental perfection during the off-season. Donald Driver, Greg Jennings and James Jones can be the most dangerous trio of receivers in the league.

Ryan Grant can be used strategically with Brandon Jackson to make the backfield prolific and productive—perfect to open up the pass openings.

If the offensive line is stable and honed—and if a true west-coast offense is run—the Packers will be the NFC's number one seed.

If Brett Favre doesn't return, the Packers could still be a wild-card team.

3. Randy Moss and Terrell Owens will have a combined total of 25 or less touchdown receptions.

This was a once-in-a-lifetime season for Randy Moss and probably one that won't be touched by a future receiver in the league.

Defenses have found ways to slow down both Moss and Owens.

The Patriots and Cowboys will have to adapt to increased diversification on offense to shred through the Red Zone in 2008.

And not to be a wise ass, but one of these guys might comprehensively break down before next year’s playoffs.

4. Andy Reid and Mike Holmgren will become even harder to differentiate from each other.

No real explanation for that one.

Super Bowl Bowl XLII: America Gets the Upset It's Been Craving

Michael Priebe — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 08:42:05 -0500

You wanted the Patriots to lose last night, didn't you?

If you answered yes to this question, you are suddenly part of a rejuvenated majority of NFL fans.

Sure, the Patriots certainly have their faithful in New England's Belichick-Belt, as well as diehards across the country. And, maybe the general curiosity watchers wanted to see history made.

But most of those who watched Super Bowl XLII didn't want to see the fairy tale season of 19-0.

The Super Bowl ratings were at a historic high this year because most people were hoping to see an arrogant presumption of history fall untrue. That is the reason most people watched the Pats during the regular season - to see a New England loss. And last night was the final shot for any team to prove the NFL exists without New England.

Whether it is fair or not, this nation's bitter attitude toward New England stems from media overexposure of the team and an unparalleled string of successes that has made the past NFL years seem like Groundhog Day.

Let's face it. NFL fans can no longer tolerate male sportscasters talking about Tom Brady's dimples. People can only take Bill Belichick's primate prowl of the sidelines for so many weeks. NFL viewers are tired of his headbands that don't hold, the fleeces with the easy-tear knecks, and the constipated groans and lumbering.

It was just too much!

America wants no more Seau, no more of the human building block named Bruschi and no more of the little-engine-that-could Wes Welker (or we can call him Rudy, whichever). Four Super Bowls in seven years is a mind-boggling accomplishment for the Patriots, but it is hell on the rest of the league's fans.

There are 31 other teams out there, and the Patriots are programmed to believe that they are all inferior. But last night, the circuitry of that logic got fried. And it is a damn good thing for the country.

American football fans finally got the stimulus package they wanted - the change that they needed. If the Patriots had won the Super Bowl, NFL fan apathy going into next season would have been unbearable. Just like America has grown weary of Bushes and Clintons in the White House, it has grown tired of the Patriot's monopoly of the NFL's largest games and media stages.

It wasn't just New York that tasted victory last night. Multitudes of jaded fans relished seeing the team they have grown tired of knocked off the biggest pedestal in football.

Most of us didn't see our teams win or even play last night, but somehow the morning after the Super Bowl still felt pretty good.

McCarthy's Strange Brew Created Packers' Offense

Michael Priebe — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 12:28:00 -0500

Who is going to be the playmaker this time? Should defenses be concerned about the infantry of not-famous receivers lined up to split the field, or that preppy-looking guy Grant in the backfield?

These are questions Packers' opponents have to ask themselves this post-season.

Is the next play premeditated for a lovely and much-needed first down, or is it an experiment in future offensive success about to take place at the expense of our forward progress?

That is a question Packers' fans were tortured with this regular season.

Who are we and who should we be?

Those are the questions Brett Favre seemed to be asking himself much of the season as he saw his team do spectacular things he never expected.

As was evident in press conferences, Favre seemed puzzled because he couldn't place his finger on exactly where the Packers' strategy and identity rested. This puzzlement stemmed from Mike McCarthy's willingness to use regular season contests as a means to piece together a slow-growing offensive identity - a strategy for which Packers' fans must be thankful.

First of all, how does a young team with so many players so seemingly close in talent define its starters?

Slowly and patiently.

McCarthy auditioned for his key players every week as if they were trying out for high school varsity. And much of the season was an experiment in different offensive approaches to the game.

Do you remember Favre's unsuccessful bombs to start the Dallas game? Remember the trick plays? Remember those stubborn, unsuccessful run-after-run drives when Favre was, just a second ago, shredding the field with his passing? The reason McCarthy was able to experiment with strategy during regular season games (which left fans frustrated through a few regular- season nail biters) was his team's raw talent and rare depth. McCarthy mined his team until finding the eclectic jewels that now define the Packers' current offense. He created a smorgasbord of opportunity.

But McCarthy has also shown a knack for connecting with players to rope both discipline and trust around his bucks, both young and old.

Jones, Jennings, Favre, Lee, Robinson, Martin, Driver, Grant, Franks etc. - they have all ended up being a part of the Packers' community offense. Egos don't run in this plan. Running, passing, or a weird, Favre/McCarthy-driven combination of both and more all drive the Packers' current offense.

A chameleon with the control of its changing colors - that's what the Packers' offensive is right now. It has proven a tough animal for defensive coordinators to get their hands around.