Los That Links 8-24-10

Brett Favre made his return (to something he technically never left) with a bang last night in the Minnesota Vikings loss to the Super Bowl-bound San Francisco 49ers (bias). Literally. The return was a whopping four plays long, complete with one highlight (a 13-yard swing pass to Adrian Peterson) and the aforementioned lowlight.

For all the hype about Favre, I'd have to say the television audiences were left a bit disappointed. Unless you were like me, and appreciate watching a dominant pre-season defensive performance by a dark horse Super Bowl contender, you were probably looking to see Brett Favre do Brett Favre-type things for at least 3-4 series.

Too bad.

What viewers last night were treated to, however, was more of the same unabashed apologizing and excuse making for the legendary Favre's diva routine. There was the story of the three Viking players who traveled to Mississippi to talk to him. There was the halftime interview where he gave vague references to contentious feelings he may or may not have towards Brad "Chilli" Childress, who occaisionally serves as head coach for the team. There was the story of anonymous players in the Viking locker room were quoted saying Favre didn't trust Childress, and how they were cowards for doing so. And, of course, there were the "Favre just loves this game" stories, complete with Favre slapping the butts of his teammates, as proof.

I know just last week, I posted an article stating how we shouldn't hate Favre, or the game, for all the love he receives. I'm not backing off my position on that. It's okay to hate Jay Mariotti, but not Favre.

Still, as a sports junkie, it is a bit nauseating to listen to the positive Favre stories being told by the media members who scathingly criticize Terrell Owens and Albert Haynesworth for underming their head coaches, and basing those criticisms on words from anonymous sources. It's hypocritical, at best, to do so. What's worse, every allusion to the identity of the anonymous sources is played up as being either backup QBs Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels, implying that they're saying things out of jealousy.

So, its okay to label guys cowards and team cancers, when they may or may not have done anything to deserve those labels? And you don't need to back it up with fact, so much as an entertainig opinion? This is wrong.

I don't mind giving Favre the benefit of the doubt, or even special privliges. That's why they make the big bucks. Just don't do it at the expense of guys who are just as accomplished (Owens), guys who are in similar situations (Haynesworth), or guys who are just barely hanging on (Jackson and Rosenfels).

Shouldn't be too difficult, eh?

- Here's an article from the thegrio.com, asking whether Favre would be given the same amount of rope if he were a black athlete. (http://www.thegrio.com/)

- Two QBs looked pretty good last night in the Vikes-49ers game. Neither one was named "Brett". (http://www.sfgate.com/)

- Tiger Woods is officially a single man. Hide your Hooter's waitresses. (espn.go.com.)

- Have gun, will travel? Maurice Clarett on work release. (http://www.baltimoresun.com/)

- Another amazing centerfield catch coming from Japan. Call it "Spider Man 2". (sports.yahoo.com)

Washington Redskins 2010 Preview

2009 was expected to be a big year for Washington Redskin football. So was every season from 2008 back to 1999, back when owner Daniel Snyder first bought the team. Under Snyder's helm, the once mighty, and still proud franchise has managed a less-than-mediocre 80-96 record, only three playoff appearances ('99, '05, and '07), and no playoff wins.

Safe to say, expectations are not being met.

The blueprint for "success" has usually been the same: spend big money on veteran free agent pro-bowlers, tout the usually high draft picks, put the head coach on the hot seat, and watch the wins happen. They're super at doing everything but that last part.

This season, things will be different, allegedly. New GM (Bruce Allen), new head coach (Mike Shanahan), and a new quarterback (Donovan McNabb). Allen was brought in to make sure Snyder didn't overspend on free agents. Shanahan was brought in because Jim Zorn was incompetent. McNabb was gift wrapped and shipped from Philadelphia, probably for this.

Hope springs eternal.

Offense

Shanahan is known for using a stable of running backs, dating back to his days with the Denver Broncos. The Redskins will give him plenty of options, having signed former Pro-Bowlers Larry Johnson and Willie Parker to team up with former Pro Bowler Clinton Portis in the backfield (So much for not over spending on free agents). McNabb will probably have his most solid passing options at tight end with Pro Bowler Chris Cooley and third year USC alum Fred Davis. Davis filled in admirably last season after Cooley was injured, catching 48 passes for 509 yards and 6 TDs.

Washington will be looking for either Devin Thomas (11) or Malcolm Kelly (12) to step up at wide receiver. Sanatana Moss has led the team in that category for the last five seasons, but at 31 has seen his yards per catch drop each year (from 17.7 in '05 to 12.9 in '09). Both Thomas and Kelly were second round picks with high expectations that neither have lived up to (3 career TDs combined). Jamal Brown and rookie Trent Williams were added to an offensive line will also need to improve greatly this season as well. The 2009 Redskins allowed 46 sacks, fifth worst in the NFL.

Defense

Believe it or not, the Redskin defense was actually pretty stout. Their $100 million man, Albert Haynesworth, didn't light the world on fire statistically, but his presence was felt on a defense that allowed only 4 yards per carry rushing, and sacked the quarterback 40 times. The main problem with the Redskin defense was overuse, and the inability to force turnovers (17 total, dead last in the league).

Haynesworth has made the news a lot this off-season due to contract holdouts and conditioning issues, but having him on the field would make this defense that much more formidable. MLB London Fletcher is coming off his first Pro Bowl season at the tender age of 34, but he's surrounded by young players entering their primes. Linebacker Brian Orakpo (23) made the Pro Bowl in his rookie season last year, defensive end Andre Carter (30) had 11 sacks, DeAngelo Hall (26) has resumed the form that at one time had him ranked as one of the top cornerbacks in the league. This is a very formidable group.

Prediction
10-6.

At the risk of sounding like an idiot, I believe they made the right moves this time, even if they seem to have done the same thing as every other off-season under Snyder. The Shanahan-McNabb combination > the Zorn-Jason Campbell combo. They could be just what the offense needs to score the extra TD a game that could've made last year's 4-12 team a potential playoff team. Their average point differential was 4 per game. This could be the year.

Just don't "expect" too much.

Give Someone An Inch...

... And they'll take a 100 mil and run with it.

Can't say that I'm surprised by this story one bit. What did you expect to happen when you give someone $41 mil guaranteed in the first 13 months of a 7 year/$100 million dollar deal? Of course Albert Haynesworth is going to take the money, play half-assed for the first year, collect on his roster bonus and then skip mini-camp because he doesn't like his role in the new coaching staff's defense (which he has yet to play in). What's next; showing up to training camp out of shape? Wait, that just happened. I'm sure he's been eating real well with $41 mil he's pocketed so far.

Just another example of rewarding a player before they prove their value to your franchise. Yes, Haynesworth was a BEAST for Tennessee in 2008; that's because he playing for a new contract! History has proven that players with "potential" to be great have a tendency to step it up in contract years, get a huge deal, then lay an egg once they cash in. Haven't we learned from players like Jerome James (currently collecting multi millions from NY for no production whatsoever) or Super Bowl XXX Larry Brown (Al davis at his finest!). The smart GM's are the ones who offer these types of players incentive-laiden deals where the player can only cash in by reaching performance escalators.

But in Albert Haynesworth's defense, all you can say is "Don't hate the playa, hate the game." Getcha money Fat Al!

-ALR