Packers Bye Week Well-Timed

The Green Bay Packers have had this past week to rest their weary bones and prepare for a tough competition against an undefeated Tennessee Titans team. I suspect there will be a great deal of green and gold in the stands at LP Field, knowing the history of Packers fans willingness to travel. With a surprise win against the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday, the Packers are in a position to make their mark in this 2008 season with a win against the Titans.

This win was just what I needed to seal the deal with Rodgers. I should say this win coupled with the little telephone call Brett Favre made to Lions'-ex Matt Millen. While it may not be true that Favre discussed any Packers plays, it still keeps that sour taste in my mouth. Aaron Rodgers has put together some solid performances, even in the 3 losses, he has played well. Confidence is high.

With Al Harris' return from a spleen tear, this team is going places. To think my expectations were pitifully low early in the season. I should be ashamed. I do wish Favre well with the Jets, but have moved on to #12.

The Packers lost to the Titans in the preseason, though only by 2 points. And how much does the preseason even reflect the regular season? I think these teams will split their meetings this year, with the Packers winning the more important of the match-ups.

And so go the days of our lives...in Packerland

"Brett Favre has been placed on the Green Bay Packers' roster following his reinstatement by the National Football League."

Interesting developments over the weekend. The Minnesota Vikings don't want him. The Green Bay Packers are gonna make him duke it out with Aaron Rodgers for the position of starting quarterback. What? And have Favre play all the downs in the preseason games? That is interesting. Should make the availability of preseason Packers tickets a little light if you get Favre playing for $40!

I was giving my boy the COLD should for a month or so. I am ashamed of myself. All of this love and devotion turned sour with one little itch. Poor Brett. I will scratch your itch. Good luck at making Aaron run for the AFC.

Go Pack!

This isn't the Soap Opera I Anticipated

Since my last post, a lot of you-know-what has hit the fan. It is all rather unbelievable. Retired Green Bay Packers' quarterback Brett Favre wants an unconditional release from his contract with the Pack. Wow. This is terribly depressing. What once was a beautiful relationship filled with love and support has turned sour.

Favre who retired fair and square has said he changed his mind and wants to play football. Well, fella, you have had, as the Packers say, numerous chances to come back and play for the green and gold. Each time you said no, no, retirement is for me.

Some say for all the time and energy I have devoted to this guy, I have turned a cold shoulder quickly. If it turns out the Packers made him rush to retirement and the writing was on the wall, well then, maybe I side with Brett, but it appears as though the quarterback had a chance to change his mind and he didn't take it.

As of a few minutes ago, apparently Packers' General Manager Ted Thompson said maybe Favre could come back and play second string behind Aaron Rodgers. If it was ugly before, this statement is off the charts.

And these are the days of our lives....

Packers History Could Help in No-Cap Future

In 2010, the salary cap in the NFL, which had been in place since 1993, will be going bye-bye, allowing big time players to ask for some big time cash. The chatter with regard to this development and it's effect on the Packers chances to compete is bleak. With team owners like Jerry Jones, Daniel Snyder, Bob Kraft, each with very deep pockets, it may be a challenge for the league's only community-owned, non profit team to compete.

The Green Bay Packers current roster and contracts already have an hint of the cap elimination. For example, Aaron Rodgers will have his shot this fall to step in to Brett Favre's shoes as the Packers quarterback, if all goes well, Rodgers' current contract is through 2009, allowing for some tough negotiations ahead for the team and a potential windfall for Rodgers. I have no argument with that. Rodgers has waited patiently for his shot and if he performs, he deserves to get paid. The question is, will the Packers be signing his paycheck in 2010, or will it be for a rival team with unlimited funds?

This is not to say the Packers organization hasn't planned for this day. For years, they have stayed under the cap, storing funds for such a "rainy" day.

My real point here is to address the one thing the Green Bay Packers can offer, other teams cannot. The mystique of the team, the field they play on, the Coach Lombardi factor and the rest of the storied history of the franchise. Sure players will end up living part of the year in the NFL's smallest market, but they will literally be THE biggest fish in the pond. Green Bay treats their Packers players like gold. Green Bay supports the team year round, showing up for all of the practices, scrimmages and related events with bells on. My bet is that there will still be a number of solid players who will sacrifice some cash to experience the opportunity to wear Packers' Green and Gold each Sunday.

Packers Give Favre His Old Locker

Rather than creating mass hysteria as to which Packers player would next use the locker once used by former Packers quarterback Brett Favre, the team has decided to just give it to #4. As players starting coming in to Green Bay and streaming in to the locker room this Spring, none touched Favre's old locker, in fact most took pictures. ESPN even created a build your own Favre Locker shrine on their site. The team is going to have a new locker built and installed by the end of July, by the time practices are in full swing for the fall NFL season.

I will now await the very special day, when Brett and Deanna invite me over to their pad for a cookout and a tour of their decked out rec room. They have to have some time on their hands now. I will bring a nice dish to pass.

Packers in top third of ESPN Power Rankings

From ESPN, the following is how they see the upcoming NFL season to shake out. At the end of the 2007 season, they had the Green Bay Packers sitting at 5, and beginning this season at 10. Given the retirement of Brett Favre, I will take a 10 any day. That is a good thing. The Packers were solid on both sides of the ball last season and new quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been pretty good the few times he has hit the field for the Packers, most noteably was against the Dallas Cowboys last season when Favre went out with an injury.

ESPN lists their ranking for 2008 first, then in parenthesis is where the team landed in the rankings at the end of last season. We still see the Patriots at the top of the list. I guess that videotaping stuff doesn't help afterall?

1 (1)
New England Patriots
16-0-0

2 (2)
Indianapolis Colts
13-3-0

3 (6)
San Diego Chargers
11-5-0

4 (3)
Dallas Cowboys
13-3-0

5 (4)
Jacksonville Jaguars
11-5-0

6 (9)
New York Giants
10-6-0

7 (8)
Pittsburgh Steelers
10-6-0

8 (7)
Seattle Seahawks
10-6-0

9 (13)
Cleveland Browns
10-6-0

10 (5)
Green Bay Packers
13-3-0

11 (18)
New Orleans Saints
7-9-0

12 (15)
Minnesota Vikings
8-8-0

13 (14)
Philadelphia Eagles
8-8-0

14 (10)
Washington Redskins
9-7-0

15 (12)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
9-7-0

16 (11)
Tennessee Titans
10-6-0

17 (17)
Arizona Cardinals
8-8-0

18 (23)
Carolina Panthers
7-9-0

19 (19)
Buffalo Bills
7-9-0

20 (16)
Houston Texans
8-8-0

21 (30)
New York Jets
4-12-0

22 (25)
Baltimore Ravens
5-11-0

23 (21)
Denver Broncos
7-9-0

24 (20)
Chicago Bears
7-9-0

25 (22)
Cincinnati Bengals
7-9-0

26 (27)
Oakland Raiders
4-12-0

27 (26)
San Francisco 49ers
5-11-0

28 (29)
St. Louis Rams
3-13-0

29 (24)
Detroit Lions
7-9-0

30 (28)
Kansas City Chiefs
4-12-0

31 (32)
Miami Dolphins
1-15-0

32 (31)
Atlanta Falcons
4-12-0

There you have it. Now with the owners voting to go with out a salary cap two years earlier, we shall see if the playing field remains the same. All I care about is my Packers playing competitively and remining in Green Bay (which is a no brainer, I realize). The Packers

One Special Locker

So the story goes that weeks and weeks after Brett Favre retired from the Green Bay Packers, his locker sits as it did when he last was in Green Bay. No one wants to be the guy to take over a legend's locker. The Packers don't want to take his stuff down. Looks like Favre's locker will just become a bit of a shrine I guess. Word is that some of the rookies who came in for their minicamp were taking pictures of said locker. I certainly would and I don't play the game...Good for these new kids to come in with the understanding that they are coming to Green Bay at a pretty cool time. They respect what was and the years of history the team has compiled, but still know they have an opportunity to create the start of another great run. Maybe even a run to the post-season again. Wouldn't it be great if the Packers play host to another NFC Championship this coming January?

Favre on Fox?

It would be so simple to do a play on words with the rumor that former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre is in talks with Fox to add his commentary to their Sunday morning studio show. I mean the guy is Foxy, right?

I guess this would be a fair compromise. If we can't enjoy Favre in his green and gold uniform each Sunday, we can get a dose of his casual attire and witty remarks on our local Fox affiliate. The news of these talks was leaked during a speech given by former Dallas Cowboys coach Barry Switzer. It is Switzer who may get the boot to make room for Favre. Interesting.

Packers Draft 2008

I will not claim to have any sort of original thought on the NFL draft picks made by Ted Thompson and the Green Bay Packers. For the first time in 22 years, the Packers did not pick in the first round. In later rounds, they picked two quarterbacks, Louisville's Brian Brohm in the second round and LSU's Matt Flynn in the seventh. The Packers haven't picked two QB's in a draft since years before Favre even came to the team. So like 1984 or something.

I would presume these two, along with starting Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, are each fantasising about becoming the "next Brett Favre". Anyone would I suppose, especially football players with all that machismo at play. I am not looking for another Favre, I am looking for a winning season following Favre's retirement and a decent price for my Packers tickets.

Who is this Brohm guy? It seems like buzz has surrounded him and his performance on the field since the guy was in high school. As far as his response to being drafted by the Packers, Brohm said, "It was a long wait, but I'm just excited to be in the NFL and to be with the Green Bay Packers. I'm just pumped up. I want to come in and compete and be the best player I can be. I know they have a good team and I just want to do what I can to help out."

Favre on Letterman

What a treat that was! When Brett Favre, dressed in a nice pair of jeans, and a brand new linen jacket (maybe a blend, but nice, nonetheless) walked on to the Late Show with David Letterman stage, one could hear a collective sigh from the ladies in America.

He is much-loved and rarely seen in an interview setting. Letterman was great, pushing for information on Favre signing his retirement papers. Favre said he just didn't do it, not to read in to anything and that Letterman "must watch a lot of TV". Favre confirmed that the fact that the Green Bay Packers didn't recruit wide receiver Randy Moss had nothing to do with his decision not to play quarterback for the team. Letterman was so complementary, as he should be, to Favre and his accomplishments on and off the football field. I literally had a smile on my face from beginning to end. My two favorite salt and peppered-hair dudes!

Daunte Culpepper. A Green Bay Packer?

Rumor has it the Packers are looking to bring in a backup quarterback with some experience for Aaron Rodgers. With that being the case, Culpepper fits the bill, but this is pigs-flying kind of stuff. Daunte Culpepper played quarterback for longtime Packers rival to the north, the Minnesota Vikings for years. He was recruited by the Vikings in 1999 and played with such Packers-haters as Randy Moss, Michael Bennett and Chris Carter. Many trips to Lambeau Field must have affected his feeling to wear green and gold? The real question is why do the Packers think they need a back up with experience? Do we not recall the comment former-Packers quarterback, one Mr. Brett Favre said? He said, and I quote, “It would be hard to pass up, I guess. … It’s only speculating. I think the world of that team. I had a lot of fun, not only this year, but over my career. Those guys I played with this past year, a lot of young guys, a lot of fun. … And if that opportunity presented itself and they did call, it would be tempting. And I very well could be enticed to do it.” Enticing to us the fans too! Sorry Aaron, this doesn't come from a place of uncertainty of your ability more of a place of love for Favre.

BRETT FAVRE IS GOING TO BE ON LETTERMAN

I can't think of a better pairing. Two dudes, both with a special place in my heart going toe to toe in a wit-filled discussion on retirement, no retirement, filing paperwork, or not filing. Letterman is a huge Indianapolis Colts fan; he likes football and is always a great interviewer when it comes to professional athletes.

Having been to see Letterman a couple times in my life, I would have to say, sitting in that ice cold studio and seeing former Green Bay Packers quarterback, BRETT FAVRE come out as one of his guests for the night would be way crazy. (My best was Kanye West and Ray Romano.) I wonder what he will wear. My money is on some old jeans and a button down shirt with a ratty t-shirt underneath. Super hot. Sorry Deanna. This is, presumably, one of my last opportunities to ramble on.

Brett Favre will appear as a guest on The Late Show with David Letterman a week from today, Thursday, April 24.

Maybe he's making some other big announcement? (Hands in the air: Packers tickets vs. Letterman tickets?)

Green Bay Packers 2008 Schedule

Good Stuff. Seriously, super good stuff. Something to look forward to post-summer in the Midwest. A winter break to New Orleans in November to watch the Packers take on the New Orleans Saints. I can taste the burgers at Port of Call and the beignets at Cafe du Mond. Yum. Maybe Favre will be ready for a trip to Bourbon Street when he isn't expected to play quarterback for the Green and Gold a la Super Bowl XXXI. I also like to see the Dallas Cowboys coming to get a feel for a road trip to Lambeau Field.

Green Bay Packers Pre Season Schedule
Mon., Aug. 11
Cincinnati Bengals(Bishop's Charities Game)
7 p.m.

Sat., Aug. 16
@ San Francisco 49ers
8 p.m.

Fri., Aug. 22
@ Denver Broncos
8 p.m.

Thurs., Aug. 28
Tennessee Titans (Gold Pkg.)(Midwest Shrine Game)
7 p.m.

2008 Green Bay Packers Regular Season Schedule

Mon., Sept. 8
Minnesota Vikings
6 p.m.

Sun., Sept. 14
@ Detroit Lions
12 noon

Sun., Sept. 21
Dallas Cowboys (Gold Pkg.)
7:15 p.m.

Sun., Sept. 28
@ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
12 noon

Sun., Oct. 5
Atlanta Falcons
12 noon

Sun., Oct. 12
@ Seattle Seahawks
3:15 p.m.

Sun., Oct. 19
Indianapolis Colts
3:15 p.m.

Sun., Oct. 26
Open Date


Sun., Nov. 2
@ Tennessee Titans
12 noon

Sun., Nov. 9
@ Minnesota Vikings
12 noon

Sun., Nov. 16
Chicago Bears (Gold Pkg.)
*12 noon

Mon., Nov. 24
@ New Orleans Saints
7:30 p.m.

Sun., Nov. 30
Carolina Panthers
*12 noon

Sun., Dec. 7
Houston Texans
*12 noon

Sun., Dec. 14
@ Jacksonville Jaguars
*12 noon

Mon., Dec. 22
@ Chicago Bears
7:30 p.m.

Sun., Dec. 28
Detroit Lions
*12 noon

THEN POST SEASON??? I am throwing it out there, that I expect a 10-6 season, with a solid chance in the post season. Yes, last season everything pointed to fate taking the Green Bay Packers all the way to the Super Bowl, but this year the cosmic cards are still in a different, but similar alignment. Favre retires. Rodgers steps in and takes his knowledge from Favre all the way. Didn't anyone see The Karate Kid? Hello.

Packers Preseason Schedule

We already know the Packers will face the Vikings at Lambeau to open the 2008 NFL season, but what we now can add to that is the preseason opponents. On Monday, August 11, the Packers play the Cincinnati Bengals at home. Then they are on the road for a game at the San Francisco 49ers and at the Denver Broncos Invesco Field at Mile High, or whatever that place is called now. The last game before we can all get REALLY excited for the regular NFL season to begin is against Tennessee back at home. Have we played the Tennessee Titans in every preseason for the last 5 years? Not that there is anything wrong with it...What is so right about it is the price of preseason Packers tickets! These are the games to take kids to and not feel like you broke the bank! I would suspect the first home game will offer up the least spendy tickets as it is a Monday night which leaves a lot of people out of the picture. Speaking of pictures, check out Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers. Oh, to be a fly on their shoulders. Or wherever.

Rumor Mill

If I have to wake up one more morning hearing the local radio guys talking about the latest rumor involving my Brett Favre Quarterbacking for another NFL team, I might just lose it. It started with the rumor that Favre hadn't filed his retirement papers and might go play for the San Francisco 49ers. Then he was going to play for the St. Louis Rams or the San Diego Chargers. NOW, it appears that they say Favre is going to bookend his football career with the Atlanta Falcons. Say it isn't so. This cannot go on much longer. We have the announcement of the Packers Vikings Monday Night Football game opening the 2008 NFL season in Lambeau Field on September 8. This news has Packers fans riled up, but with the excitement comes the stress of our former lover cheating on us. RIGHT IN FRONT OF OUR OWN EYES.

This better not be true. Favre, you really do look best in green and gold.

10 Ways to Keep Your Packers Spirit Alive Until Fall

10. Road trip to the Packers Hall of Fame.

9. Book your hotel in Canton for the first weekend in August 2013. Do I need to explain?

8. Buy some fresh and clean Packers gear for cryin' out loud.

7. Quit the tears over Brett Favre's retirement and get on board the Aaron Rodgers' train.

6. Start thinking about your Fantasy Football 2008 draft.

5. Start a Green Bay Packers blog to get your thoughts down versus floating around in your head.

4. Post your favorite Packers fan memory on Packers.com for all the world to enjoy. Warning; Some make you tear up.

3. Take a tour of Lambeau Field with your family.

2. Green and Gold paint, a friend with benefits and a bottle of tequilla.

1. Move to Hattiesburg, MS and do some good, old fashioned stalking.

Did you change your mind yet Brett?

Packers Quarterback Aaron Rodgers (that hurts to write) may have had the best teacher to help prepare him for the upcoming NFL season, but until he takes snaps in back to back games, I will be cautiously optimistic.

Another 13-3 season for the Green Bay Packers would be unreal. Playing host to another NFC Championship Game at Lambeau Field would be unbelievable. Ushering in a replacement for beloved #4 in Rodgers and having it go swimmingly would be a dream come true. A dream I wasn't planning on having for another year or two, but I will go with it if it's what makes Brett happy.

The Sports Illustrated Commemorative issue is on the newstands and on ebay and on my nightstand. As someone else wrote, "a super hot dude just retired from the NFL". I concur.

Brett Favre Press Conference

Reports are that Brett Favre will hold a press conference Thursday to discuss his retirement from football and the Green Bay Packers. Maybe Favre will have a change of heart between now and 11am cst Thursday? Maybe he will hit the podium and say, "Just kidding guys; one more year". That would be awfully crazy, but a welcomed remark. It is a long shot.

The media coverage of Favre's retirement is never ending. Not that I am complaining, but one has to be impressed with the work that print reporters and videographers have done to mark Favre's accomplishments. Hours and hours of primetime television hours were dedicated to his retirement. Thanks to my DVR I will be in good shape for my Favre fix for years to come. Seeing Favre's fashion through the years is a trip! The rolled-up, cut off jean shorts, the sport coat when he announced his rehab trip to the casual fashion of recent years is enjoyable.

I wish Favre and his family nothing but the best, but I sure would love to see a change of heart??? Come on Brett, one more year?

Go Packers!

Looks Official; Favre Retires

The cruel, cruel world. The news came as I was pulling in to my parking lot at work. What a wonderful way to start a work day! With the terribly sad news of my quarterback, Brett Favre deciding to retire from football and the Green Bay Packers. He has led the team from all of these years. When he first hit the field for the Packers I was graduating from high school and now look at me, all mature and responsible and so on. Just kidding, but when you look at what you have done in your personal life since 1992, it is crazy to think that each of those years, Brett Favre was our quarterback. Packers fans the world over are shedding a collective tear today.

Eight Minutes of Hell..."Favre Retires" on Packers Site

When I heard the news that the Packers site posted the news that Brett Favre was retiring I was immediately hit with the such sadness. What would I do? What would my future hold? Would Aaron Rodgers ever come close to filling the void left by #4? Would Packers tickets become the easiest get in town? Would Favre want to hang out with me in his spare time?

So many questions. So few answers. The Packers people immediately said the article posted was something they have had "ready" at the end of the last few seasons. It wasn't to be taken as insider information at all, and that a formal announcement from Favre is expected to come within the next week or so.

The Green Bay Packers' new president and CEO, Mark Murphy, earlier this week said that he believes Packers quarterback Brett Favre will return next season.